Bath Digital Divide Collective

The Bath Digital Divide Collective is a vibrant community working to tackle digital poverty in Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES). 

We bring together people, organisations, and resources to create long-term solutions that promote digital inclusion and reduce inequality.

Why it exists

Despite ranking among the top 20% most affluent areas in the UK and coining the affectionate name “Silicon Gorge”, Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), the reality is more complex. According to  Good Things Foundation research in 2025: 

  • Adults earning under £11,500 are twice as likely to lack home broadband

  • 16% of Bath food bank users have no internet access at all

  • Over half of BaNES residents report poor broadband connectivity

  • The cost of living crisis could push 4,000 more residents—including 1,500 children—into absolute poverty

As more and more services move online, these gaps risk leaving thousands of people behind. Digital exclusion isn’t just a tech issue - it’s a social justice issue.

In 2023, we set about getting stakeholders from across the community to band together and apply ourselves to the city-wide challenge of tackling Bath’s digital divide.

We kick-started the Collective at Bath Digital Festival 2023, hosting a hackathon to map out existing solutions and co-create new ones.

The Collective is now being steered by Bath Bridge, in partnership withTech4Good South West.

Together, we’re turning ideas into action, and building a movement that champions community-driven tech projects in the South West.

Who’s it for

Anyone who wants to help close the digital gap in BaNES is welcome to join the Collective.

  • Local residents with lived experience

  • Community organisations

  • Tech professionals

  • Researchers and educators

  • Funders and policymakers

If you’ve got skills, energy, or ideas, we want to hear from you! 

Get in touch today: bathdigital.org

What we’ve achieved so far

We’re proud to have support from a wide range of local partners, including:

  • Age UK Bath

  • Bath BID

  • Bath & North East Somerset Council (via the Future Ambition Partnership)

  • West of England Combined Authority

  • BCS Digital Divide Steering Group

  • BCS Bristol & Bath Branch

  • Mayden, Southside, St Johns Foundation

  • Twerton & Whiteway Community Network

  • Quartet Foundation

  • Plus many dedicated individuals and consultants from South West tech projects

Together, we’re achieving great things through the Bath Digital Divide Collective:

  • Created a technology and data bank to support deprived communities

  • Secured grants from Good Things Foundation and University of Bath to fund pilot projects and research

  • Developed our first grassroots initiative, Digital Playground, focused on Twerton, Whiteway, and Southside, in partnership with Southside Family Project

  • Awarded a University of Bath Participate Grant that has brought together researchers to understand how closing the digital divide can improve health and wellbeing across the city. This research will help us advocate for better resources and policies to support our communities.

Ready to join the Collective? Get in touch at bathdigital.org or visit the LinkedIn group for information on the next event.

Get involved

We’d love to see you at the next Digital Divide Collective meeting. 

Event dates are published on LinkedIn, or you can get in touch directly to be added to calendar invites.

Get in touch - bathdigital.org

See upcoming events - Bath Digital Divide LinkedIn Group