PLANED has been awarded £15,750 Digital Inclusion Fund which they will use to provide devices, training and digital skills support at the Living Well Centre in Carmarthen.

This funding has been made available as part of BT’s social value commitments as the delivery partner for the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme’s Better Broadband Infill Project,
The funding will enable the expansion of digital inclusion opportunities at PLANED’s Living Well Centre in Carmarthen .

The centre hosts over 20 projects and organisations and welcomes more than 700 people each month for advice, group activities, consultations, and inclusive opportunities for the whole community. The grant will fund new tablets to support activities at the Living Well Centre. These devices will facilitate digital skills sessions for people from all walks of life, helping them feel more confident using technology for everyday tasks, whether that’s managing household bills online, booking a GP appointment, staying in touch with family through video calls, applying for jobs, or even ordering the weekly shop.

In addition, partner organisations will receive training to create engaging social media content and videos to better promote the free services available at the centre.

Iwan Thomas, Chief Executive of PLANED, said:

The new devices will benefit all the projects and organisations at the centre, enhancing the quality of community sessions and making them more accessible and inclusive. They’ll help people develop digital skills and confidence, opening up access to essential services and opportunities.
Iwan Thomas, PLANED

Richard Anderson, BT Business and Innovation, commented:

Connectivity is only part of the solution. People also need the skills and confidence to use it. Through the Digital Inclusion Fund, we’re proud to support PLANED in helping local communities embrace digital technology and access the benefits it brings.
Richard Anderson, BT

Cllr Hazel Evans, Carmarthenshire County Council added:

We’re delighted to see PLANED receive this funding, which will make a real difference to people in Carmarthen and beyond. Digital skills are essential for everyday life, and this investment will help ensure that no one is left behind. By supporting the Living Well Centre, we’re strengthening opportunities for our communities to connect, learn, and thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Cllr Hazel Evans, Carmarthenshire County Council

For more information about the Living Well Centre, visit PLANED’s website.
There was a fantastic response to this funding opportunity from charities and community interest companies, who are offering a wealth of projects to address digital exclusion. Despite not being able to offer funding to everyone who applied, the Welsh Government Digital Inclusion Wales Grant is still open for applications until 4pm on the 9th February 2026.

More information on how to apply can be found on their website.