A key challenge for Sussex is the high levels of deprivation in our major coastal communities, including Eastbourne. Our Tackling Poverty Report found that Eastbourne has a higher proportion of people experiencing income deprivation and child poverty than the national average.
We recently visited TechResort at their office in Eastbourne where we met Chief Operating Officer Liz, who told us about the different services they provide to equip people with digital skills and devices in order to tackle digital exclusion.
The team at TechResort believes that everyone should have access to the digital world, and they’re working hard to break down barriers. They support people of all ages from different backgrounds, including providing work experience and coding workshops for young people (being a proud safe space for people who are neurodivergent), to providing support for older people who need help setting up online.
They also provide digital devices to a range of people including refugees and asylum seekers and people experiencing homelessness. Liz explained how TechResort and Matthew 25 Mission signpost beneficiaries to each other, providing joined-up support in Eastbourne.
Liz spoke about TechResort’s passion for ensuring dignity for those they support. This can be done in such simple ways, for example providing a laptop bag with a laptop (instead of a plastic bag) so people can take ownership and care of the device.
Visiting TechResort highlighted the importance of digital literacy and access in today’s online world. They help people to get online with confidence and be able to complete essential tasks such as accessing support, making requests for housing or applying for jobs independently.
“A lady of working age was referred to us by a local homelessness support charity. She was in emergency housing and needed a phone to help complete her universal credit journal. She disclosed a history of mental health issues which made her find some tasks overwhelming and this put her at risk of benefit and housing sanctions. Once we provided her with a phone and a SIM card, we coached her in job and accommodation searches. She was very happy that this improved her ability to cope.”
Find out more about TechResort on their website.
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