Digital Peninsula

Our strategy to create a Digital Peninsula aims to boost our economy while also tackling digital exclusion among some of our more vulnerable residents. The programme was awarded £1m by the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and it runs until 2025.

Find out about what's happening to help residents and businesses become more digitally enabled.

For residents

What's happened so far

Training for residents

Hundreds of residents have received training to help with day-to-day online tasks such as banking, booking a GP appointment, looking for a job or helping children with homework. With the help of Citizens Advice Gosport, we ran a pilot project offering training for older people in council sheltered housing schemes, homeless individuals and families in council hostels. We also funded the Rowner Community Trust to deliver training to their local community.

Digital and Wellbeing Hubs

We've set up a Digital and Wellbeing Hub on the High Street in Gosport town centre and have supported Elson and Lee community hubs to do the same in their spaces. We're providing new equipment and hiring trainers to support local residents access the digital skills and services they need. Find your local hub's details below:

• Imagination Refinery, 51-52 High St, PO12 1DF
• Elson Community Library and Hub, 136 Chantry Rd, Elson, PO12 4NG
• Lee Hub Independent Community Library, 14 High Street, Lee-on-the-Solent, PO13 9BZ

The Digital and Wellbeing Hubs are coordinated by Citizens Advice Gosport. For any questions, requests and feedback, contact: Karen Loneragan, Digital Inclusion Project, Citizens Advice Gosport, karen.loneragan@gosportcab.org.uk

Find out more about what our hubs offer, and the community celebrations we've hosted to launch them: 

What's happening next

Residents to shape digital support at community hubs

Communities in Elson, Lee and the Town Centre are shaping the agenda for what digital support they want to see going forward. A series of free community events this summer and autumn at the three Digital and Wellbeing Hubs will be the chance for local people to get the help they need with job hunting, accessing health services, or banking online. Join one of these events.

Helping people Discover Gosport

We're revamping our Discover Gosport website to better promote our local businesses and attractions for residents and visitors alike. We'll also be using the Discover Gosport social media pages to highlight events and things to do in the borough, using new photo and video content.

New digital signage for the High Street

We're installing 3 new 'digital totems', double-sided signs that can show live and up to date information about local events and services, in the town centre high street.

For businesses

What's happened so far

Marketing to promote Gosport's businesses

To help advertise Gosport as a visitor and business destination, we are building a library of images and videos that we can all use to tell the story of our town. You can find these on the Discover Gosport YouTube channel and Facebook page.

What's happening next

Digital Accelerator Programme

30 businesses, both established and start-ups, will receive dedicated training to help them understand the digital technologies available to help expand their businesses. They'll receive dedicated training and mentoring from Solent Partners on business-specific issues like selling online, using AI, cyber security, and systems for managing customer relationships. To apply, visit the Solent Partners' website.

Business workshops and 1-2-1 training

Dozens of local heritage, tourism, culture businesses will receive free training on everything from setting up a website through to using TikTok, thanks to a new programme of workshops and 1-2-1 sessions with a marketing expert. There are over 20 events running from summer 2024 to spring 2025, with booking available on Eventbrite.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The Digital programme has received £1m from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is part of a wider programme to boost digital skills in the borough - including promoting heritage and tourism businesses online.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit the UKSPF website.