A charity promoting digital accessibility will receive a boost of £60,000 from North Ayrshire Council in order to improve and expand their services.

Irvine based charity Input aims to help those with additional needs learn how to use technology and digital programmes and supplies residents in difficult financial situations with access to technology.

The charity will receive funding from the council’s Community Investment Fund as part of their Fair For All Inequalities Strategy – a general plan to reduce inequalities within the area.

Input’s Project Manager, Stuart Gemmell, said: “As a charity, our goal is to raise the profile and untap the employability potential of people with learning difficulties in North Ayrshire while also helping people who are digitally excluded or who lack digital know-how to keep connected and get ahead in life.

“Digital access, connectivity and digital learning opportunities are crucial in helping our trainees and other residents to get ahead in life, so that they can achieve their goals and ambitions no matter their background or financial circumstances.

“The £60k funding will help us to recruit new team members who can help us to provide more residents with access to smartphones, tablets, computers, and devices and also enhance our offering of current digital drop-in sessions where people can get IT advice and support.

“Thank you to the Irvine Locality Partnership, who have been incredible, for helping us to achieve our recent funding boost.”

Input will also be using the funding to refurbish donated computer equipment which will be given to people who are unable to afford a computer or digital access.

The funding will also help the charity to improve computers and software in community venues.