Reflecting on the last 5 years
- Cat Smith
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
As Community TechAid turns 5, our CEO, Cat Smith reflects on the last 5 years.
At a recent community forum, the topic of Digital ID’s was raised. How will this impact our community? What does this mean for people who don’t own a smartphone?
One community partner shared how the recent 3G switch-off forced a resident to buy their first smartphone. At £50 per month, this cost represents a significant portion of their Universal Credit and has put even more strain on a household already struggling.
Digital IDs are often presented as a way to make it “easier to apply for government and private sector services”, including childcare and other benefits. Yet, for us it’s very clear, without alternatives or safeguards, these tools will cut off the very people they intend to help. And, as with so many digital transitions, they often happen without any real room for choice.
Like many digital inclusion projects, Community TechAid came into existence at the height of the pandemic. An urgent, unprecedented time, when digital tools became the only way to communicate. Schools closed overnight, with little warning or Government support, and public spaces shut their doors, as everyone was urged to stay at home. This sudden shift forced people online to continue learning, working and communicating with loved ones.
But as many of us know this was not possible for everyone. We met hundreds of people during that time whose worlds turned upside down because they had no way of getting online. Whether it was a lack of skills, or a laptop of their own, thousands found themselves completely isolated from the outside world.
One story that stuck with me was that of Gerald*. In his late 60s, Gerald relied on weekly visits to the library to complete his Universal Credit journal. Within days of the first lockdown, he was at risk of being evicted from his home because he couldn’t meet his reporting requirements without access to a computer. Fortunately we were made aware of Gerald’s situation and were able to support him with a laptop, helping him to stay connected, maintain his benefits and remain in his home.
A lot has changed since 2020, but that sudden move online 5 years ago has left a legacy that remains with us today. From online meetings, to booking NHS appointments, digital is a completely normalised way of life. The lockdowns may be over, but the choice to engage is becoming smaller and smaller.
Much as Gerald had no choice back then, many of the people we meet today feel the same. That narrowing of choice leads to frustration, anxiety, and helplessness.
I’ve seen first hand how powerful digital inclusion can be. A simple WhatsApp call to a family member can bring immense joy after months of separation. Having access to online banking can help manage debt and provide much needed reassurance. And so if there is one thing I have learnt as part of Community TechAid over the past 5 years, it’s the power of having a choice. Whether it’s taking a break from social media or printing your event ticket because you’d rather not use your phone, the ability to decide how you engage with digital life has become a privilege.
We must continue to advocate for alternatives to online only solutions. While booking a train ticket through an app may be convenient, there must always be other options.
At Community TechAid, our work is about more than just digital inclusion. It’s about creating space, opportunity, and confidence for people to engage with the digital world on their own terms. True inclusion means being able to connect how and when we want to, not when we’re forced to.
Over the next five years, we will continue fighting for that choice, ensuring that no one is left offline, and that everyone has the opportunity to access the devices, skills, and confidence to connect when and how they choose.
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last 5 years, I am so proud of the community we have built, and grateful to everyone who has helped us get here.
If you would like to learn more about our work, or would like to donate, please get in touch. Our work is only made possible by our partners and supporters