Connected Services Programme

Birmingham City Council have been fortunate to secure £1.1m worth of brand new devices from the West Midlands Combined Authority to support the Connected Services Programme, as part of our digital inclusion focus.

We are actively looking to attract applications from voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations who support:

• Carers (including young carers aged 16+)
• People seeking cost of living support
• People experiencing/at risk of experiencing homelessness
• People living in temporary accommodation
• Veterans
• Prison-leavers
• Older adults, especially those who are less confident with the internet
• Organisations supporting digital inclusion skills development – particularly for marginalised citizens and women
• Others (If you do apply for another group of people please explain why they are a priority group and this will be carefully considered.)

Devices can be either gifted directly to citizens in need, or can be used to support digital inclusion courses and citizen-facing support. If gifted to citizens you will have responsibility for making sure that the devices are appropriately set up and the citizen is able to use them, or to provide ongoing support. The devices cannot be used for staff or back office functions. All citizens supported by these devices and citizens who receive a device must be aged 16+

Organisations must demonstrate that they have a clear project plan for the devices, and must outline timescales in their application. Please note that all devices must be in use with monitoring and evaluation data returned before December 2023.

Please note that if you are looking to set up a new lending library or use the devices communally, you will need to ensure you have the relevant software and skills to maintain the devices and to keep sensitive personal data safe. Maintenance of communal devices carries ongoing costs, so please ensure this is fully understood and funding is in place before applying for devices.

Most of our devices are Chromebooks but we do have a limited number of windows laptops and desktops, and mini wifi units (Mifi) available.

You can apply here - https://forms.office.com/e/Send0Kkj4U

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 15^TH AUGUST 2023. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED AFTER THIS DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

As I am sure you can appreciate, we are expecting high-demand and a lot of interest in these devices. We will take all applications to our committee of VCFSE organisations for sign-off w/c 4th September 2023. Please ensure you capture as much detail as possible in your application, as if it is not clear how the devices will be used or what has been requested, the application may be rejected. Unsuccessful applications will not have an opportunity to appeal. We can only progress applications from VCFSE organisations and cannot progress any applications from private sector companies, individual citizens, unregistered charities or CIC’s, or Housing Associations.

If you have queries you can email [email protected]