Hundreds of people from the North East tech community have lent their support to a new fund aimed at tackling digital poverty across the region.
Dynamo’s inaugural North East Tech Charity Dinner, held at Wylam Brewery last week, saw nearly 200 guests come together to raise funds and celebrate the launch of the Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund.
Initiated by Dynamo North East, a not-for-profit tech sector membership organisation which is the region’s largest tech cluster, and managed by the Community Foundation, the fund aims to support initiatives to help people gain confidence in digital technologies and create pathways into employment.
Businesses, entrepreneurs and foundations from across the region have already raised over £40,000 towards the fund. A generous donation by the Reece Foundation and a matching fund of £20,000 pledged by Tony and Anne Platten have also helped to launch the initiative.
The UK Government last month [Feb 2025] launched a dedicated Digital Inclusion Action Plan to help close the digital divide in the UK, ensuring that the benefits of technology can be felt by all.
According to Lloyds Bank, over 1.6 million people in the UK are currently living offline, with the North East having some of the lowest levels of digital capability.
Common causes of this can include people suffering worse health outcomes, higher costs when shopping for everyday items and being over five times more likely to be unemployed.
Through the Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund however, Dynamo is seeking to tackle the root cause of the problem, by supporting initiatives which provide people with the confidence and skills to be more digitally capable.
Dr David Dunn, Chief Executive Officer of Dynamo North East, said: “We are incredibly proud as an organisation to be leading the charge to improve digital inclusion and to be helping lift communities across the region out of digital poverty.
“It is disappointing in this day and age that so many people in the region are digitally excluded, meaning they don’t have the skills, confidence, devices or connectivity to reap the benefits of technology.
“Digital inclusion is a key driver of economic growth and is key to bridging the digital skills divide, which is why it’s so important that we tackle the issue at the root cause and do all we can to level the playing field.
“This is why we launched the Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund, to bring together people from across the industry to tackle digital poverty and to ensure people from all backgrounds and communities benefit from the life-changing opportunities that will be presented as our sector continues to grow.
“By working together, we can help bridge the gap, enabling individuals and families to access education, employment, and essential services that are increasingly online and secure long-term, skilled employment opportunities right here on their doorsteps.”
Gateshead College, Ward Hadaway, and ACT | The App Association all sponsored the networking dinner, and David is hopeful that as word continues to spread, more organisations will follow suit and support the fund.
He added: “We have been blown away by the incredible generosity displayed by our Dynamo members, sponsors, supporters and the wider sector so far, but as far as we’re concerned, this is just the start.
“As we move forward, we are hoping that even more businesses, philanthropists, and partners will get involved and join us on our mission to tackle digital poverty head-on.
“Together, we can ensure that no community is left behind as the region’s digital economy continues to grow, and that our sector is one that champions accessibility, opportunity, and innovation for all.”
Stephen Tulip, UK Country Manager at ACT | The App Association, said: “Access to the internet isn’t just about using social media and keeping in touch with friends. It’s how people learn new skills and provides access to job and career opportunities and by getting people on that digital ladder, it helps them improve the parts of their lives that require connection with the outside world.”
Phil O’Neil, Head of Digital and Games Department at Gateshead College, said: “We’re delighted to have sponsored the first Dynamo North East Tech Charity Dinner, which is helping to raise funds for such a worthwhile cause.
“Gateshead College got involved as we’re passionate as an organisation about tackling digital poverty and this is a great way of us helping to do just that. It’s such an important cause which will go a long way to helping ensure everyone in the North East has the social mobility to move into jobs and lead a better life.”
Matt Cormack, Partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “We wanted to show our support for Dynamo North East and the new fund which is really exciting. When we look at the North East, we’re either bottom or top of the league, whichever way you look at it, so it’s a big issue, particularly for tech businesses.
“When you look at skills, we need to upskill our population to ensure we have the skilled people available to fill the roles that are being created. More broadly, from a social perspective, it’s really sad to think there are people missing out on key life experiences due to digital poverty. For example, if they can’t get online, they’re missing out on accessing services or products and are likely to be further from the job market.
“It’s a really interesting campaign and it is great to see Dynamo pulling so many businesses together. With the power of collaboration, we can drive real change.”
