8th December 2025
Our LGDNE lead, Kate Holmes on a collaborative day out!
The Let’s Get Digital Northeast event we hosted with Building Self-Belief in Consett was a highlight of this year for us! Around 40 delegates travelled from towns and cities across the Northeast to network and to learn about Let’s Get Digital. It felt energising to see familiar faces alongside people who were completely new to this work, all willing to share openly and learn from one another.
We started the day with an inspirational presentation from Building Self-Belief who are a stalwart of the Let’s Get Digital project run by Digital Unite and generously supported by the global tech company, Capgemini as part of their social value commitments.
Building Self-Belief celebrated their young digital champions who support local people with digital motivation, confidence and skills including on their famous "Toastie Tuesday" sessions. How wonderful that people can come along for a warm space, a natter and learn digital skills too whilst enjoying tasty food.
It was nice to talk about DI and how other people were engaging with the wider community
Event Attendee
Learnt hugely - about concepts and sources of support and signposting
Event Attendee
An interactive workshop saw delegates writing letters to sectors who can tackle digital exclusion including central government, funders, educators and not forgetting individuals too. Everyone has a part to play on this important mission so in a season where we write letters to Santa, why not write letters to the folks who really can tackle the digital divide that leaves millions behind.
Ideas included those in power visiting local community groups who are making such a meaningful difference on the ground. This might help nshift hearts and minds to contribute more human and financial resources to digital inclusion initiatives.
Breakout groups then considered how harmful digital exclusion can be and what needs to change. We then moved to a panel discussion with contributions from Digital Durham, Connected Voice and Health Innovation Northeast and North Cumbria.
I want to say a heartfelt thank you to the Building Self-Belief team, who provided such warm hospitality and helped make the atmosphere relaxed and welcoming. I’m equally grateful to our speakers and panel members, who brought insight, courage, humour, and honesty to the conversations. Their contributions helped everyone feel grounded in the real challenges—and the real possibilities—of digital inclusion work. Close Caterers provided an amazing lunch and it was great to see people staying to eat, laugh and share more ideas.
I feel the event has laid the foundations for a stronger, more connected digital inclusion network across the Northeast. I’m excited to continue my work on the Let’s Get Digital project and to see where the energy in the room takes us in the New Year.
Thank you again for organising such a brilliant gathering in Consett the other week, I’m still buzzing from the energy of the event and working my way through a small pile of follow up contacts, it was a fantastic meeting!
Event Attendee
From Durham Cathedral
