The Access Foundation has approved a grant of £25,000 to fund the operation of ‘Digibus Gloucestershire’, a mobile digital education suite created out of a converted double-decker bus.

Foundation Trustee, Piers McLeish with Programme Manager, Lucy Pollock and beneficiary visiting the Digibus in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Digibus offers a 'digital lab experience' designed to improve digital skills, support educational outcomes, improve access to health and other online services and connect communities.

The bus travels throughout the county, prioritising the most deprived neighbourhoods and with the lowest internet usage. The bus stops at community centres and libraries, where the onboard trainers provide free, personalised sessions for members of the public to help them improve their digital skills.

The aim of the project is to bring the digitally disengaged in Gloucestershire together, and to improve their confidence online.
Equipped with computers and laptops, tablets, a 3-D printer, robotics and coding and a virtual reality system, Digibus offers a combination of trainer-led and one-to-one support.

The project is run by IT Schools Africa (ITSA) which has been delivering technology, digital access and skills to those who need it most in Africa and the UK for over 17 years. ITSA’s mission is to transform lives through access to and improved use of digital technology.

“This will enable us to continue providing much needed one-to-one digital support for people of all ages in Gloucestershire”

Lucy Pollock – General Manager IT Schools Africa commented:

“We were delighted to hear that we had received a grant from the Access Foundation for our digital inclusion project, the Digibus. This will enable us to continue providing much needed one-to-one digital support for people of all ages in Gloucestershire. As a charity we rely on donations to continue our important work; helping to connect and improve life opportunities in Africa and the UK.”