Here we outline our previous digital literacy and community ICT projects and programmes.
Programmes can end for many reasons. Usually, once a programme’s funding is exhausted we have to discontinue it until further funding can be found. When and if further funding does become available, we may then reactivate a programme.
Alternatively, we close some programmes because the community need is satisfied, no longer exists, or has become the responsibility of other trusts or organisations.
Other programmes may not have delivered enough perceived benefit to be worth continuing or close down because our own resources and social capital (volunteers’ time, energy and enthusiasm) are exhausted.
Our Pacific Senior Connect programme was funded by the Office for Seniors. The programme enabled Pacific Seniors who are 65+ living in Ōtautahi (Christchurch) and Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) to become digitally included by attending Pacific-centred digital literacy workshops based at their churches and conducted in their own language. The programme ended in 2022.
Our Kāinga Connect programme ended on 30 June 2022. We provided digital literacy training to digitally-excluded Māori, Pacific People and differently-abled people based in Ōtepoti (Dunedin), Oamaru, Otautahi (Christchurch), Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), Manawatu, Te Tairāwhiti, Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland).
The Computers in Homes Connect programme was funded from January 2019 for 325 learners. The programme supported learners in Whangarei, Kaipara, New Plymouth, Manawatu, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Computers in Homes Connect was focused on:
- Targeting learners whose previous learning was not successful
- Raising foundation skills
- Enhancing a learner’s ability to participate in society and economic life through digital inclusion
Following on from the success of the 2018 Northland Connect programme in the Kaipara area, 20/20 Trust continued the successful, collaborative partnership with Te Roroa Learning Assistance (TRLA) and expanded the reach of the programme to the following rohe:
- Kaitaia (Far North)
- Kaikohe (Mid Northland)
- Maungaturoto (South West Northland)
- Whāngārei (South East Northland)
The core elements of this programme enabled learners to re-engage positively in learning, promoting self-management and independence for Māori and Pasifika living in Northland.
We engaged learners by putting their learning into real life situations, such as engaging with their child/children’s learning, managing their own health, exploring job opportunities, interacting with government agencies, investigating personal interests, so they could participate in everyday online interactions such as shopping, banking, as well as connecting with friends and whānau both in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas.
The programme was funded by Foundation North but this funding has now be exhausted.
Computers in Homes was our former flagship programme and its widespread application throughout Aotearoa New Zealand meant the programme and the 20/20 Trust had virtually become household names. CiH provided training, technical support, a choice of Chrome Books or refurbished laptop computers, as well as home Internet to students’ families in low-decile schools so they can join the online world. We were really proud of this groundbreaking programme in helping those in need embrace digital technology —many for the first time.
We were disappointed when we had to suspend the programme in July 2017 then awaiting renewal of government funding. And this funding was not renewed. So, we developed Family Connect — a replacement programme funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to replace Computers in Homes. Family Connect now leads the way as our our current showcase programme.
During 2018, the Board decided to focus on core programmes that deliver digital skills and inclusion. As a result a number of programmes were transferred to other organisations.
The then newly-formed Digital Inclusion Aotearoa Alliance took over the Stepping UP, Spark Jump and DORA programmes.
- Stepping UP promotes digital literacy in subjects that enhance peoples’ work and home lives. Partnering with libraries and community training centres throughout New Zealand has created greater community outreach and outcomes. It offers 31 different topic-focused modules with each taking two hours to complete.
- Spark Jump is a low-cost, pre-pay internet service for families with school-aged children, from the Spark Foundation.
- DORA is a mobile digital learning centre.
ICDL Asia now provides direct delivery of the ICDL suite of programmes for New Zealand.
Our notable projects in years gone by include:
- CANZ (Computer Access New Zealand)
- eDay
- Living Heritage
- NetDay
- Pasifika IT
- Positive Computing (for Parents)
- Smart Newtown
- The Headlight Series
- WCN (Wellington Community Net)