Support offer from Citizens Advice Bureau

Support offer from Citizens Advice Bureau. This service is designed to help both patients and staff build confidence in using digital services, including the NHS App, online forms, and broader digital skills.

Why Digital Exclusion Matters More in Winter

The colder months can deepen existing barriers to digital access:

Social and physical barriers: Shorter days and poor weather discourage people, especially older adults or those with mobility challenges from leaving home, reducing access to libraries and community centres where they often access the internet or receive support.
Financial pressures: Increased heating bills and seasonal expenses mean less money is available for broadband or mobile data. For some, this leads to cutting off internet access entirely.
Reduced in-person support: Community-based initiatives are often scaled back in winter due to staff shortages or reduced operating hours, leaving fewer opportunities for face-to-face help.
What’s on Offer
Please find attached a poster and slide deck summarising the CAB service. We’d be grateful if you could share this reminder with colleagues so patients and staff can continue to be signposted to support.

Key elements of the offer include:

One-to-one appointments with friendly digital skills advisors
Support with the NHS App, online form completion (e.g. Blue Badge, housing), and internet safety
Community workshops, including back-to-basics skills and device access
Guidance on reducing internet costs and accessing free data/technology (eligibility applies)
Free refurbished tablets for learners completing training courses
📍 This is available across Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham, and Sheffield – contact details are on the attached poster.

Sharing Patient Stories
Hearing the difference this support makes is powerful. Two recent cases from Citizens Advice Rotherham and Doncaster highlight the real-world impact of digital exclusion.

In Rotherham, an elderly couple struggled with a QR code-only parking system. With support from the Digital Inclusion Project, they gained the skills and confidence to manage online payments independently.
In Doncaster, a working parent facing new caring responsibilities received tailored advice on benefits, flexible working, and digital access—helping them support their child’s education and regain stability.
These stories show how accessible, empathetic support can empower individuals to adapt and thrive in a digital world.

To add, a recent donation of Laptops made to the Growth Company to support people engaged in their service:

“The Growth Company is a not-for-profit social enterprise who supports local communities back into sustainable employment. We work with a range of cohorts like those who are long term unemployed, prison leavers and refugees. We are currently setting up a youth pilot aimed at 16–24-year-olds who are struggling to enter the labour market. In a recent survey we conducted, we found that 50% of our young people did not have access to a digital device or reliable Wi-Fi at home. This not only limits their access to quality jobs but stops them from accessing qualifications and training that could further their chances at employment. By providing these young people with the laptops and reliable Wi-Fi, they will be able to use it to apply for applications online and access courses that can develop their existing skills and knowledge. They will also be able to create the necessary documents to apply for jobs, such as CV’s and cover letters. With this equipment, we can support them in creating these documents and provide feedback on how to improve their chances when applying for work”

We know that hearing the real impact makes a difference! Do you have a patient story like this? If so, we’d love to hear it. A few lines (or a short video) can inspire others and show the real impact of digital inclusion. Please send stories to: syicb.syprimarycare@nhs.net.

Looking Ahead
We are also exploring opportunities to:

Promote the South Yorkshire Digital Inclusion Network – 👉 Join the South Yorkshire Digital Inclusion Network who meet every 8 weeks.
Thank you for helping to keep patients and staff connected, informed, and supported this winter. Together, we can make sure no one is left behind.