Deep Dive into the Digital Support Derbyshire’s Small Grants Scheme 2026/2028

A grant programme supporting digital inclusion services for Derbyshire residents.

Digital exclusion is no longer just about internet access. It affects people's ability to book GP appointments, apply for jobs, manage benefits, connect with family, access education, and participate fully in modern life.

That is why the new Digital Support Derbyshire Small Grants 2026/2028 programme matters so much for community organisations across Derbyshire.

Backed by renewed funding from Derbyshire County Council, the programme is designed to strengthen grassroots digital inclusion work across the county.

Grants between £5,000 and £10,000 are available for voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise organisations delivering practical digital support in Derbyshire (excluding Derby City).

What stands out in this round is that funders are not simply looking for digital projects. They are prioritising initiatives that create long-term community impact, build local capacity, and reach people who are consistently excluded from digital services.

The Key Priorities and Why They Matter

The guidance makes the funder’s priorities unusually clear. Organisations that align closely with these themes are far more likely to stand out! So, lets deep dive into the priorities to understand more what these mean.

1.      One-to-One Digital Support

The strongest emphasis is on personalised support delivered either in homes or community settings.

This reflects a major reality in digital inclusion work: many people do not need a formal classroom course they need patient, practical help with real-life tasks.

That might include:

• Helping an older resident set up and use the NHS App.

• Supporting someone to complete Universal Credit forms online.

• Teaching a person with low confidence how to avoid online scams.

• Assisting isolated residents to access video calls and online communities.

Example of High-Impact Delivery

A rural community centre could recruit trained volunteers to provide weekly home visits for older residents who are unable to travel. Instead of generic training sessions, support would focus on immediate needs such as online banking safety, repeat prescription ordering, and communicating with healthcare providers.

The impact is measurable and immediate:

• reduced isolation,

• increased independence,

• better access to health services,

• and greater confidence online.

This is exactly the kind of practical intervention funders increasingly value.

2.      Growing Digital Champions

The programme specifically prioritises increasing the number of Digital Champions across Derbyshire. Digital Champions are volunteers or community members who help others build confidence and skills online.

This matters because funders want sustainability. A project that trains ten Digital Champions may ultimately support hundreds of residents over time.

What a Strong Project Could Look Like

Imagine a housing association partnering with a local voluntary organisation to train residents as peer Digital Champions.

Instead of relying solely on staff:

• tenants support other tenants,

• support becomes locally embedded,

• and digital confidence spreads organically through trusted relationships.

This creates a multiplier effect, which is exactly what the guidance refers to when it talks about cascading digital skills.

3.      Reaching Underserved Areas

Another important priority is filling geographical gaps in support across Derbyshire.

For many funders, location-based inequality is now a major concern. Rural communities, isolated villages, and smaller towns often have fewer support services despite high levels of need.

Why This Priority Is Important

A project operating in an area already saturated with digital inclusion services may struggle to demonstrate added value. By contrast, an organisation delivering outreach in poorly served rural communities could show:

• unmet demand,

• lack of alternative provision,

• and stronger community need.

Potential High-Impact Example

A mobile digital support service visiting rural villages once a week could provide:

• device support,

• online safety training,

• access to digital health tools,

• and benefits advice.

For residents with limited transport links, this could become a lifeline rather than simply a training programme.

4.      Partnership Working

The guidance explicitly encourages collaborative projects.

Funders increasingly prefer partnerships because they:

• reduce duplication,

• maximise limited resources,

• and increase community reach.

A strong application might combine:

• a community centre,

• a GP surgery,

• a local volunteer network,

• and a housing provider.

Together, they can reach audiences no single organisation could support alone.

Why Partnerships Strengthen Applications

Partnerships demonstrate:

• community credibility,

• delivery capacity,

• shared expertise,

• and sustainability beyond the grant period.

In practice, collaborative projects often create longer-lasting impact because support becomes embedded across multiple services.

5.      Innovation and Testing New Approaches

The fund welcomes innovative delivery models.

Importantly, innovation does not necessarily mean expensive technology. Often the most effective innovation is about reaching people differently.

Examples of Innovation That Could Work

• Pop-up digital cafés in village halls.

• Intergenerational projects where young people teach older residents.

• Online or Messaging-based peer support groups.

• Community tech lending libraries.

• Digital support integrated into food banks or warm spaces.

Funders are likely looking for projects that can demonstrate:

• experimentation,

• learning,

• and scalable community impact.

6.      Digital Health and NHS App Support

One of the clearest thematic priorities is digital health.

This reflects the wider national shift towards digital healthcare access. Many residents still struggle with:

• booking appointments online,

• accessing test results,

• managing prescriptions,

• or using the NHS App confidently.

Why This Area Has Major Impact

Digital exclusion in healthcare can directly worsen health inequalities.

For example:

• older adults may miss appointments,

• people with disabilities may struggle to navigate online systems,

• and residents with low digital literacy may avoid seeking help altogether.

Strong Project Example

A community organisation could run Digital Health Drop-Ins in partnership with GP surgeries, helping residents:

• download and use the NHS App,

• access medical records,

• understand online appointment systems,

• and safely use digital health services.

The wider impact could include:

• reduced pressure on GP reception teams,

• improved patient independence,

• and better health engagement.

What the Fund Will Actually Pay For

One of the most helpful aspects of this grant is its flexibility.

The programme will fund:

• new digital inclusion services,

• expansion of existing projects,

• staff salaries,

• rent,

• training costs,

• capacity building,

• and reasonable capital costs.

This is significant because many small community organisations struggle to secure funding for operational delivery costs.

However, there is an important caveat around devices: if organisations are applying mainly for laptops or tablets, they may instead be redirected to the Device Recycling Project. 

That means applications focused purely on equipment distribution without wider support activity may be less competitive.

What Successful Applications Will Likely Have in Common

Reading between the lines, the strongest projects are likely to demonstrate:

• direct community need,

• measurable social impact,

• practical delivery plans,

• partnership working,

• sustainability,

• and strong local connections.

Funders appear especially interested in projects that move beyond basic training and instead create long-term digital confidence within communities.

In many ways, this grant is less about technology and more about social inclusion.

The organisations most likely to succeed will be those that understand digital exclusion as a human issue connected to loneliness, poverty, healthcare access, confidence, and community resilience.

Key Dates and Funding Details

Grant size: £5,000 to £10,000

Applications open: 25 May 2026

Deadline: 30 June 2026 at 1pm

Preferred project length: 18 months

Project start date: 1 October 2026

To review the Guidance Notes, click here.

To apply for the grant, click here.

Final Thoughts

The Digital Support Derbyshire Small Grants programme is a strong example of modern community funding priorities. It is not simply about teaching people how to use technology. It is about:

• improving independence,

• reducing exclusion,

• strengthening communities,

• and ensuring residents are not locked out of essential services in an increasingly digital society.

  
  

For voluntary and community organisations already trusted within their communities, this funding represents a genuine opportunity to create meaningful, measurable change across Derbyshire.