We caught up with Michele Gettins, Dynamo Board Member and Chief Marketing Officer at iamproperty, to hear why the company is supporting our mission of tackling digital poverty across the North East…
In today’s digital-first world, access to technology and the internet isn’t just a convenience – it’s a necessity.
Yet too many people in our region still face barriers to digital inclusion, limiting their access to education, job opportunities, and essential services. This impacts individuals, businesses, and the wider economy, restricting growth, innovation, and opportunity.
The consequences are far-reaching. Individuals without reliable internet access or digital skills face greater challenges in finding work, completing education, or even managing daily tasks that so many of us take for granted – like booking GP appointments or applying for benefits.
For businesses, digital exclusion shrinks the talent pool and limits access to a workforce equipped with the digital skills needed to thrive. On a wider scale, digital poverty restricts regional economic growth, stifling innovation and limiting social mobility.
The Tech Industry’s Role in Driving Change
As a tech-driven business, we believe it’s the responsibility of our industry to help lead the charge in closing this gap. Technology is meant to be an enabler, but without equal access and digital literacy, it becomes yet another barrier.
It’s not enough for businesses to simply innovate and move forward – we must ensure we’re bringing people along with us. That means taking action to make technology more accessible, advocating for affordable broadband, and investing in digital skills training to empower individuals with the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.
At iamproperty, we recognise that progress in digital inclusion won’t happen overnight. But as more businesses step up and take responsibility for helping to close the gap, we can start to create meaningful, long-term change.
Beyond Internet Access: Why Digital Skills Matter
When we talk about digital exclusion, it’s easy to focus on physical access to devices and connectivity – but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. Even for those who do have internet access, a lack of digital skills can still prevent them from fully participating in the digital world.
Having a laptop or broadband connection is meaningless if people don’t have the confidence or ability to use them. Digital literacy is essential in navigating everything from job applications and online banking to engaging with remote education and hybrid work environments. That’s why digital skills training must go hand in hand with access initiatives – because true digital inclusion means more than just being online; it means being able to use technology to improve quality of life.
The Biggest Challenges in Closing the Digital Divide
Despite the growing recognition of digital poverty as a serious issue, major barriers still exist when it comes to closing the gap. Some of the biggest challenges include:
- Affordability – Many individuals and families simply cannot afford the cost of devices, software, or broadband.
- Skills Training – A lack of confidence in using technology prevents many from engaging with digital tools, even when access is available.
- Regional Infrastructure – Some areas still suffer from poor connectivity, making digital access unreliable or inconsistent.
- Awareness and Outreach – Those who need support the most are often the hardest to reach, meaning initiatives must go further to ensure they’re inclusive and accessible.
These challenges aren’t just for governments to solve. Businesses, charities, and local communities must work together to remove these barriers and ensure digital access is available to all.
Why Businesses Must Get Involved
Tackling digital poverty isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s essential for economic growth and business success. A digitally skilled workforce benefits the entire region, ensuring businesses have access to the talent they need to innovate and grow.
That’s why initiatives like the Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund are so important. When businesses contribute to projects that expand digital access and training, they aren’t just supporting individuals – they’re investing in the future of the region as a whole. By helping to close the digital divide, businesses can create new opportunities for employment, enhance productivity, and future-proof the workforce against ongoing technological advancements.
Beyond that, businesses that take an active role in supporting digital inclusion initiatives demonstrate strong corporate social responsibility, which is increasingly important to employees, customers, and investors. Being part of a movement that drives positive change strengthens brand reputation and fosters deeper connections within the community.
Why iamproperty Got Involved in the Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund
As a North East-based business, we’re passionate about driving progress in our region. At iamproperty, we believe that access to technology and digital skills should never be a barrier to success.
When the opportunity arose to get involved with Dynamo North East’s Digital Inclusion Fund, it was a natural fit for us. We understand the critical role digital accessibility plays in unlocking potential, whether for individuals entering the workforce, businesses looking to scale, or the wider economy striving for sustainable growth.
Our business was built on the idea of using technology to empower people – whether that’s Estate Agents looking to transform their processes or homebuyers navigating property transactions more efficiently. But we know that technology only works when people have the access and ability to use it. That’s why supporting digital inclusion is so important to us – it’s about ensuring that no one is left behind as the world moves forward.
The Power of Collective Action
While individual businesses can make a difference, real change happens when industries come together to drive progress. That’s where Dynamo North East plays a vital role.
Dynamo brings businesses, educators, and policymakers together to tackle digital exclusion in a way that no single organisation could do alone. Their leadership in the sector helps create impactful initiatives, facilitates knowledge-sharing, and ensures digital inclusion remains a priority for the region.
By championing projects like the Digital Inclusion Fund, Dynamo is helping to build a stronger, more connected, and more inclusive North East. Their work highlights the power of collaboration and how, when businesses come together with a shared mission, we can create a lasting, positive impact.
Looking Ahead… A Future Without Digital Exclusion
Digital poverty won’t disappear overnight, but by working together, we can ensure fewer people are left behind. Businesses, charities, and organisations like Dynamo North East all have a part to play in closing the digital divide, ensuring technology is a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion.
At iamproperty, we remain committed to this cause and encourage others to step forward and get involved. By investing in digital access and skills training today, we can build a more inclusive, innovative, and prosperous region for the future.
The digital world is full of opportunity – it’s our responsibility to make sure that opportunity is available to everyone.
North East Tech Charity Dinner
If you’re interested in attending the launch of Dynamo North East’s Digital Inclusion Fund, be sure to join Dynamo’s tech sector networking dinner on Thursday 13 March 2025, where funds will be raised throughout the evening to help lift communities across the region out of digital poverty.
For more details on the event, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/north-east-tech-charity-dinner-tickets-1070650888629
