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Understanding #CovConnects and its influence on digital inclusion as a wider determinant of health

Understanding #CovConnects and its influence on digital inclusion as a wider determinant of health

Evaluation in progress, expected completion date February 2027

At a glance

#CovConnects aims to make sure that people across Coventry can benefit from the opportunities that digital technology provides. The scheme was established in 2022 to improve digital inclusion by supporting people living across the city to access devices, connectivity, digital skills and wider support through partnerships with voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. The programme also aims to strengthen local systems and partnerships that address digital inequalities across the city.

This evaluation will investigate how the programme reaches and supports people at risk of digital and health inequalities, and how its work through trusted community organisations contributes to improved digital inclusion. Combining analysis of routine data with interviews, focus groups and stakeholder engagement, the study will explore programme delivery, outcomes and wider systems impacts. The findings will generate actionable learning for Coventry and other areas seeking to address health inequalities through digital inclusion.

What does the research mean for Local Government?

Digital exclusion is increasingly recognised as an important wider determinant of health. This evaluation will provide evidence about how #CovConnects is reaching communities at greatest risk of digital exclusion and health inequalities, how the programme is delivered through community-based organisations and how it is influencing wider systems change across Coventry. The findings will help Coventry City Council understand what is working well, identify opportunities for further development and generate learning for other local authorities seeking to reduce health inequalities through digital inclusion initiatives.

How are the Public involved in the evaluation?

Access to digital technology is becoming increasingly important for everyday life. Many services, including healthcare, employment support, education, banking and benefits are now accessed online. However, not everyone has equal access to digital devices, internet connectivity or the confidence and skills needed to use them.

#CovConnects aims to reduce these inequalities by working with community organisations to provide devices, digital skills support and wider assistance tailored to local people’s needs. This evaluation will explore whether the programme is reaching the people who need it most, how community organisations use the support provided and what difference it makes for residents and communities. It will also provide insight into systems level changes, with a particular focus on the role of #CovConnects in building capacity for digital inclusion as a social determinant of health inequalities across the city The findings will help improve future digital inclusion programmes both in Coventry and beyond.

Evaluation Details

Digital exclusion is closely linked to wider social and health inequalities. People who experience poverty, disability, long-term health conditions, unemployment or other forms of disadvantage are often more likely to experience barriers to digital access and confidence.

#CovConnects is Coventry City Council's city-wide digital inclusion programme. It works with voluntary, community, health and public sector organisations to improve access to digital devices, internet connectivity and digital skills. The programme uses a community-based approach, recognising that trusted local organisations are well placed to understand people's needs and provide personalised support. #CovConnects provides tailored support to help organisations build their digital capacity and connect people with the skills, training and resources they need to benefit from digital technology.

The evaluation aims to produce early learning for public health practice on the role of digital inclusion programme in addressing health inequalities. This will have three broad areas of focus: (1) learning about the programme’s reach with respect to digital and health inequalities (2) understanding delivery and perceived impacts of the community-based approach to delivery (3) understanding systems level changes, with a particular focus on the role of #CovConnects building capacity for digital inclusion as a social determinant of health inequalities across the city.

The questions guiding the evaluation are:

What is the uptake and reach of #CovConnect’s digital support across different sociodemographic groups? Does the support appear to be reaching those at risk of digital and health inequalities?
What change mechanisms underpin the programme’s community-based approach to addressing digital inclusion?
What perceived outcomes are reported for groups at risk of digital and health inequalities?
How is #CovConnects influencing systems change to address digital inclusion as a social determinant of health inequalities e.g. awareness, knowledge, commitment and new ways of working/partnerships?
What factors appear to enable or constrain the programme’s success? What is the learning for other similar programmes?

The research will use a mixed-methods approach. This will include analysis of anonymised routine data from Coventry City Council and #CovConnects, interviews with organisations using the Device Bank, focus groups and interviews with the #CovConnects team and reflective diaries and workshops with the #CovConnects team and wider stakeholders. Together, these activities will provide practical learning about how digital inclusion programmes can contribute to reducing health inequalities.