A three-month digital inclusion project funded by the Department of Finance has helped hundreds of people across Northern Ireland take confident steps into the online world, and the results speak for themselves.

Supporting Communities' ‘Practical Online Methods for Saving Money and Managing Daily Tasks Effectively’ programme reached 227 participants across all 11 council areas, delivering 24 hands-on training sessions in community venues from Killeter to Kilkeel, from Newtownabbey to Newry. The project exceeded its target of 22 sessions, a testament to the appetite for this kind of practical, accessible support.

Real Skills, Real Savings

The sessions focused on everyday digital tasks that make a genuine difference to people's lives, such as comparing prices online, managing bills and payments, using scheduling tools, and safely accessing public services like NI Direct. With the cost of living continuing to squeeze household budgets, helping people find savings and manage their finances digitally has never been more important.

91% of participants reported improved digital skills by the end of the programme, with many saying they had moved from anxiety and uncertainty around technology to genuine confidence and independence.

Taking notes and having fun - these participants say they learned a lot!

"I felt unable to do everyday things - bank, watch TV, pay my bills. I have taken so much information from this session," said Ann from Dungiven. Rita from Armagh added, "I have had my mobile for two years, and this is my first time being able to use it confidently."

Reaching Those Who Need It Most

The project was designed with inclusion at its heart. Nearly seven in ten participants were aged 56 or over, with 35% aged 70 and above. Almost a third identified as having a disability, and 82% were women, many of them managing household finances and daily responsibilities. Delivery spanned both urban and rural communities, ensuring no one was left out simply because of where they lived.

Outstanding Value for Public Money

Beyond the human stories, the numbers make a compelling case for this kind of investment. A Social Return on Investment analysis found that the programme generated £5.11 in social value for every £1 spent, turning a project input of £17,764 into £ 90,818 in social value. Those returns include increased financial capability, improved well-being, stronger community learning capacity, and reduced reliance on others.

The project showed a social value return of £5.11 for every pound invested.

Supporting Communities' Digital Inclusion Officer, Stef, was delighted with how the project unfolded. "What we've seen with this programme is proof that you don't need a long-term intervention to create long-term results," she said. "In just three months, we watched people go from being nervous about picking up a device to managing their bills, spotting scams, and accessing services they'd never been able to reach before. That kind of change doesn't stop when the sessions end; it stays with people."

A Model Worth Repeating

The success of the project reflects what Supporting Communities does best: meeting people where they are, in their own communities, with practical support that makes a measurable difference. The strength of the SROI evidence and participant outcomes makes a strong case for continued investment in targeted digital financial wellbeing programmes across Northern Ireland.

Interested in our Digital Inclusion services? Learn more here!