Mayor praises city’s efforts to tackle digital poverty as scheme offers free access to devices and internet support.
Mayor Paul Bristow has visited a Peterborough community centre to see how new digital hubs are helping residents overcome barriers to getting online.
The scheme has already awarded grants to 10 venues across the city, including community centres and church halls, with more planned for rural villages.
Mayor Bristow visited The Garden House at Light Project Peterborough on 26 September to meet staff and volunteers running the hubs.
The venues provide free access to computers, internet connections and support for people who struggle with affordability, access or confidence in using digital technology.
Users include older residents, people living with dementia, young people and those experiencing homelessness.
Mr Bristow said the initiative was already making a difference.
“It was fantastic to see first-hand the work being done here in Peterborough to help more people get online and build their digital confidence,” he said.
“The support is practical and welcoming and a great example of the community and local partners coming together to help people access new opportunities.”
The scheme is delivered by Connecting Cambridgeshire and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, working with Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service.
Sarah Marsh, programme director at Connecting Cambridgeshire, said local organisations had responded strongly.
“The Digital Hubs scheme is digitally enabling local community spaces, allowing residents to access connectivity and devices to get online safely and locally,” she said.
“Peterborough’s third sector has stepped up brilliantly.”
The partnership began in 2024 after the Peterborough Poverty Truth Commission identified digital exclusion as both a cause and symptom of broader poverty.
Jonathan Jelley MBE JP, chairman of Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service, said digital inclusion had become a key priority.
“Our Poverty Truth Commission identified digital exclusion as an underlying symptom and cause of broader poverty for our communities,” he said.
Each hub receives funding to buy connectivity equipment and devices for public use, offering help with online forms, job applications and digital skills training.
The scheme closed its latest funding round in September, with an impact evaluation planned for spring 2026.
Community venues across Cambridgeshire can still express interest in becoming digital hubs.
Source: Cambridge Connected