GMCA launched their Digital Blueprint last night and they were pitching their sights high, aiming to be a top five European digital city region, recognised globally for its digital innovation. The ambition is impressive and you can read about it in full on GMCA’s digital pages.
Equally impressive was the clear focus on how digital can deliver benefits that help people across greater Manchester to live happier, healthier lives. This wasn’t just a showcase of tech capabilities. The strategy gave careful consideration to what digital can do for people. The number one priority was to empower people, ensuring that everyone in Greater Manchester, whatever their age, location or situation, have the skills to benefit from the opportunities digital brings.
Empowering people
When Stockport Council set out on our digital transformation journey five years ago, we committed to doing all we can to make sure our digital products and services can be accessed by all in our community. But our focus is not just about residents accessing council services – digital permeates everything. We believe that everyone should be able to make the most of new technology and all the benefits that access to the internet can bring. We know it can help people connect with each other, save money, secure employment, live healthier lives and help our children.
So I was excited and reassured that GMCA have announced £500,000 of funding to the 10 authority areas to ‘Get GM Digital’. At Stockport we will be using our share of the funding to extend the reach and impact of our Digital Inclusion Alliance and our DigiKnow community support network. We will keep you up-to-date on our plans and progress. If you wish to know more or find out how you can get involved, please do get in touch.
Today is GM Digital Skills Day!
Following yesterday’s launch, and to support GM’s ambition to be a world-class leading digital region, today has been named the inaugural GM Digital Skills Day. Schools and businesses across Greater Manchester are joining in to get people of all ages excited about digital skills and the opportunities they bring. Look out for the #GMDigitalSkillsDay and #DoSomethingDigital tweets!
This is an exciting time for Greater Manchester’s digital ambitions and in Stockport we look forward to continuing to help shape these and make them a reality.
For regular updates from the #DigitalStockport blog sign up for email alerts.