When we got digital in Newcastle!

woman looking at whiteboard that says "what are your pain points driving digital inclusion?"

7th May 2026

Seven things we learnt from the event last week about inclusion, exclusion and coming together.

Thanks so much to everyone who came to the Let's Get Digital event in Newcastle.

It was brilliant to see so many people from such a wide range of organisations listening, questioning, sharing, challenging and connecting. An extra massive thank you to those who came along to present their stories about success supporting different communities including young people and those in rural areas.

The day brought together people from the public, private and VCSE sector and included an Inspire workshop, networking and making action pledges.

We had a brilliant time and vowed – as ever – that we need to come together more often in person. And as Kate put it, “overall, a wonderful sense of Reet, time to team up and get on wi’ it.”

Thank you for organising such a fantastic event. I found the whole day incredibly useful and engaging, and it was great to see such strong participation from across the sector.

I came away with plenty to reflect on and have already made some fantastic new contacts.

Simon Burdus

Born Good

What we learnt

Based on Kate and Emma's reflections on the day - some new things and some important reminders....

In-person connection is irreplaceable. Sharing experiences, challenges, tactics, funny stories, horror stories — that's where the richness and the learning lives. And the consolation and reassurance too. We need to make getting together a good habit again — and do it more often.
Silos don’t work when tackling huge societal issues. We need to work together. That can be challenging partly due to cultural differences, but also brings great opportunities including collaboration on funding bids.
We need each other. Public and VCSE sector need business to walk in their shoes. Business needs public and VCSE sector to connect them with community.
Everyone can be a Champion. Everyone has something to add, to share. If you have set up an email address or turned on a digital device successfully, you can help another person to do that. It's about sharing what you know with warmth, patience and good humou
Digital exclusion is not a fixed state - people can be digitally included one day and excluded the next.
Let’s Get Digital is making a meaningful difference for organisations and the communities they serve.
Digital inclusion takes a village! Exclusion is pervasive, overt and subtle, constant and shape-shifting, all at once. It will not be subdued by one campaign, one intervention, one organisation. We all have to show up, roll up our sleeves, and keep at it! Keep connecting and sharing practice, energy and initiative.

We've pulled together some resources and contacts from the day.

Thank you again to everyone who came and to our fabulous partners and friends at Capgemini who put so much time, effort and commitment into bringing the people and the day together.

Here's to the next one. 🤩