Broadband provider joins Adur and Worthing Councils' IT skills service

An ultrafast internet provider bringing high speed surfing to Adur and Worthing has sponsored a council initiative to boost local IT skills.
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CityFibre is currently investing more than £25million installing ultrafast fibre-optic cables across Adur and Worthing, which would allow internet providers to bring much faster broadband to residents.

The company has now signed a year-long sponsorship deal with Adur and Worthing Councils' OneStop Junction service to support its work equipping residents with IT and computing skills.

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The sponsorship will help fund the service's Digital Buddy scheme, which sees volunteers share skills with local people lacking confidence or experience in digital services and the internet. It will also go towards new equipment for users of the service, volunteer recruitment and promotion within the community.

Leigh-Anna Barber of OneStop Junction, Ed Crouch and Adrian SmithLeigh-Anna Barber of OneStop Junction, Ed Crouch and Adrian Smith
Leigh-Anna Barber of OneStop Junction, Ed Crouch and Adrian Smith

Adrian Smith, city manager for Adur and Worthing at CityFibre, said: “CityFibre is currently investing at least £25m in transforming Adur & Worthing into one of the world’s most digitally connected areas as part of our nationwide Gigabit City Investment Programme. This will increase local access to next generation full fibre infrastructure and, at the heart of this district-wide roll-out is digital inclusion.

“This is why we are so supportive of the work OneStop Junction is doing to unlock digital access for the whole community. Throughout the pandemic, we have seen just how critical technology is to our day-to-day lives. It has not only enabled us to keep working and stay connected with friends and family, but it has meant that we’ve still been able to access vital services, including those relating to health and education. Everyone should have the confidence and ability to harness its capabilities.”

Councillor Angus Dunn, Adur District Council's cabinet member for resources, added: “Through this service, local people can learn valuable skills that will benefit them on so many levels, such as operating a computer or tablet, navigating the internet, accessing digital services such as banking, health services and job sites, and more.

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“We’ve already supported thousands of citizens through the service, including over 100 during the pandemic with our Get Online scheme. CityFibre’s sponsorship will enable us to assist even more Adur and Worthing citizens, ensuring they can benefit from digital technology and aren’t left behind as life moves increasingly online.”

OneStop Junction’s ‘Digital Junction’ is part of a national network of digital inclusion groups supported by The Good Things Foundation, a social change charity that helps people to improve their lives through digital.

Councillor Edward Crouch, Worthing Borough Council's cabinet member for digital and environmental services, said: "I've been clear from the off that gigabit broadband is about making sure as many people as possible can benefit from the fastest, most reliable form of internet connectivity.

"This investment is a clear demonstration that CityFibre shares those ambitions, providing vital support to get vulnerable residents online as well as continuing at pace to install world-class digital infrastructure across the borough."

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To access the service, call 01903 221 400 or visit onestopjunction.org.uk/

Although the CityFibre network is not yet live, once it is activated residents will be able to access service from a wider range of broadband providers.

It has launched across the UK in partnership with Vodafone, but will soon add TalkTalk to the network.

To find out more, visit cityfibre.com/your-street/