Digital Durham

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Find local digital support

Digital Durham have developed a directory for the many community organisations, training providers, council teams and charitable organisations who offer free digital support to residents of County Durham. The directory was created to allow residents to search for support available within their local area for:

  • Access to devices
  • Access to connectivity
  • Support with digital skills

Although every effort has been made ensure the details in this checker are correct, please contact the support provider before you plan your visit. A full description of the categories are detailed below the map.

Join us

If you are an organisation who offers free digital support to the local community and would like your information to be added to this map, please join our free platform by emailing digital.durham@durham.gov.uk and one of the team will be in touch.

  • To use the directory, hover your mouse over the area you want to search on the map and click the left button on your mouse.
  • Alternatively, left click in the ‘Find address or place’ search field and type in a postcode or place name then press the enter or return button.
  • Details of all local support available will appear either on the left-hand side or below the map.
  • You can find out more about the support provided by either scrolling through the list or by clicking on the icons shown on the map.
  • You can widen the search area using the sliding ‘mile’ tool.
  • Click ‘Clear search location’ at any time to reset search options.
  • For a detailed search, select the filter icon  . This filter will allow you to search venues by what support they provide. Once you have selected your options click ‘close’ to display which venues match your search criteria.
  • Zoom in or out by pressing the +/- buttons located at the top left of the map or use the mouse scroll wheel.
  • Press the home icon at any time to zoom out of the map view.


While using public Wi-Fi it is recommended you are aware of any potential risk and take measures to protect yourself and data. You can find out more, reading our article How to use public Wi-Fi safely.

Digital support categories

Access to free Wi-Fi can be crucial for people who might find it difficult to have a Wi-Fi service at home due to affordability or connectivity. Free public Wi-Fi is available across the county where you can access via your mobile, tablet or laptop.

A number of organisations have partnered with the Good Things Foundation to offer free data SIM cards to low-income households. SIMs can be activated for up to 6 months and vary from 20gd of data to 40gb, free calls and texts.

qualifying criteria:

  • 18+ years old
  • From a low income family

And qualify in at least one of the following statements:

  • Has no access or insufficient access to the internet at home
  • And / or has no or insufficiant access to the internet when away from home
  • And / or cannot afford thier existing monthly contract

 

This allows you to access a computer if you don’t have a device at home. All of our libraries are equipped with computers and information on how sessions can be pre booked can be found on the Internet access and computers in our libraries webpage.

There are also a number of community buildings offering IT suites or other free access to computers which can help get you online.

Organisations offering device loan schemes where you can loan a device to help you access the internet at home. Each organisation has their own criteria and restrictions for the loan scheme so please check with the individual organisation.

Support for day-to-day computer or internet tasks. These organisations are happy to help support you individually and can offer advice and demonstrations on basic tasks such as how to complete an online form or send a document by email.

Both formal and informal, 1-to-1 or group training to support basic digital skills. Some training providers offer an introduction to digital skills which support you to become familiar with using a computer and going online. Others provide recognised functional skills courses which support further development of digital skills aimed at employability or progression into using computer utilities.