Working in partnership with CommunityUK, Orbit Group has installed free wi-fi in 20 of its sheltered and supported schemes across the country to help its tenants get online. Since then, over 400 users have accessed service more than 21,000 times in the first six months.
After the six-month pilot, Orbit reported that social return on investment analysis suggests that the project had generated £2.90 of social value for every £1 spent.
Following the success of the pilot, Orbit is continuing to work with CommunityUK to extend the service into more schemes and is developing a ‘whole organisation’ approach to commissioning internet access services to support long-term planning and to reach more tenants.
Tim Dumbleton, digital inclusion project manager, Orbit Group, said, “It is through partnerships with companies such as CommunityUK that we can make significant steps towards tackling digital exclusion.
“We are also working with other housing providers, as part of the Connected Housing Initiative, to explore opportunities to work collaboratively to make broadband provision affordable, accessible and sustainable for tenants.”
