Three has announced a nationwide rollout and further investment in its digital skills initiative Discovery, expanding the programme into Glasgow and Edinburgh. Discovery is part of Three’s commitment to empower and educate local communities by teaching them essential online skills.

Free training will be available in Scotland for the first time, coinciding with Three becoming a signatory of Scotland’s Digital Participation Charter, an initiative created by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) with the support of the Scottish Government. The Charter focuses on improving digital skills across Scotland, where more than 21% of adults are known to lack basic digital skills. Discovery Scotland will take free digital skills sessions to individuals, schools, local groups and small businesses.

Paula Cave, Director of retail at Three, was positive about the move into Scotland, “it means Discovery now spans the whole of the UK so we can provide digital skills to more people than ever before. We are delighted to be supporting Scotland’s Digital Participation Charter, as a reaffirmation of our commitment to reducing digital exclusion”. Three are looking forward to “supporting community groups and individuals in the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas” to create a digitally smarter Scotland.

David McNeill, Director of Digital at SCVO, said: “Given the widespread use of smartphones and tablets, it’s easy to assume that most of Scotland’s population is digitally confident. However, our recent research shows the reality is that while many people use social media and consume content online, they do not have the full range of basic digital skills to enable them to make the most of the internet, whether saving money or applying for jobs”.

SCVO welcomed Three joining the national movement to increase basic digital skills and confidence online, and their commitment to providing practical support.

Three has held over 250 sessions this year for community groups across the UK, including schools, charities, community centres and job centres. These sessions have reached 4,200 people and Discovery as a whole has assisted 10,000 people to date.

To book a Discovery session for your group, please contact discovery@three.co.uk or visit your local store for individual sessions.