by Stephanie McKillop, ONSIDE Evolution Project Co-ordinator, Supporting Communities

There's a real buzz at work this week! Friday marks the official launch of ONSIDE Evolution, and I couldn't be more excited to see it finally get underway.

I've had the privilege of working as Supporting Communities' digital inclusion officer for many years now, and in that time, I've trained thousands of people to take their first steps online and grow in confidence using computers and the internet. If there's one thing that experience has taught me, it's that digital inclusion is about far more than knowing which button to press. It's about being able to participate fully in the world around us: staying in touch with the people we love, managing our own health and finances, accessing services, and feeling capable and independent in everyday life.

That matters for everyone. But it matters even more for people who already face barriers to inclusion elsewhere, including disabled people and carers. When you're already navigating a world that isn't always designed with you in mind, being left behind digitally too can be an added, unnecessary burden. That's exactly why ONSIDE Evolution exists: to make sure digital learning is accessible, practical, and relevant to each person who takes part.

I still think back to the first ONSIDE project, which happened to coincide with the COVID lockdown. It was a strange and difficult time, but it opened a lot of eyes to just how reliant we've all become on computers and the internet for practically every part of daily life: keeping in touch with loved ones, ordering shopping, attending appointments, and accessing vital services. For people who weren't confident online, that period could be incredibly isolating. It reinforced for me why this work matters so much, and why we can't afford to leave anyone behind.

So, what exactly is ONSIDE Evolution? Supporting Communities is delighted to be a delivery partner in this exciting cross-border initiative, working alongside Disability Action, the Housing Executive, and Independent Living Movement Ireland to help disabled people and carers across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland become more confident, connected, and independent through digital technology. Building on the success of the original ONSIDE project, ONSIDE Evolution will support thousands of disabled people and carers to develop the skills and confidence they need to make the most of digital technology in their everyday lives.

Our Digital Inclusion team have worked so hard behind the scenes to get everything ready for our participants, from designing sessions and preparing materials to making sure everything is in place for a warm and welcoming start. They will be delivering a six-week digital inclusion programme, designed to be practical, accessible, and shaped around the needs of the people taking part. We'll cover everything from getting comfortable with devices to staying safe online, connecting with family and friends, and accessing the services people rely on. Every participant learns at their own pace, in a supportive environment where there are no silly questions.

I couldn't ask for a better team to be working on this alongside me, and I'm so proud of the effort they've put in. I'm genuinely excited to see the impact this project will have for disabled people and carers across Northern Ireland over the coming years. Here's to Friday, and to everyone who's about to take their first steps with us!

To find out more or get involved, email onsideevolution@disabilityaction.org

September 8, 2026

Growing Green Minds: How MACCA's Summer Scheme Planted a Love of Nature in Omagh

When Mullaghmore & Castleview Community Association (MACCA) in Omagh set out to plan this year's summer scheme, they took a chance on something different. Alongside the usual trips to the cinema and play areas, children aged 5 to 14 spent a full week immersed in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) Future Farmers programme exploring the natural world on their own doorstep. The risk paid off in a big way!

August 12, 2026

Meet the New ONSIDE Evolution Team!

The ONSIDE Evolution Project is set to launch next month, and we are so excited that we thought we’d introduce our training team in advance! Meet the team hard at work preparing materials to make technology more accessible and empower people to use digital tools with greater confidence.

July 28, 2026

Radius Housing Achieves Platinum-Level Tenant Participation Accreditation

Radius Housing has been awarded Supporting Communities' Platinum-level Tenant Participation Accreditation, the highest of the four accreditation levels, in recognition of sector-leading quality in its tenant engagement practices.

July 21, 2026

Choice Housing becomes the first social housing provider to achieve Platinum Tenant Participation Accreditation

Choice Housing has become the first social housing provider in Northern Ireland to achieve Platinum Accreditation under Supporting Communities’ Tenant Participation (TP) Accreditation Framework, setting a new benchmark for tenant engagement across the sector.