Digital Inclusion Alliance Wales Steering Group welcomes new members

The DIAW Steering Group is thrilled to introduce you to the latest champions of digital inclusion who have joined our dedicated steering group. With a commitment to bridging the digital divide, these individuals bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a shared passion for ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age. In this blog post, we’ll share their diverse backgrounds and their unique contributions to our mission of fostering a more inclusive and connected digital world.

Scott Tandy, Newydd Housing Association

Scott Tandy is a digital innovator who works as a Digital Inclusion Officer at Newydd Housing Association, a charitable housing association that provides 3,000 affordable homes for rent and sale to people in need in Wales. He is passionate about using technology to improve the lives of people and communities, especially in the areas of housing, health, education and employment. He joined the Digital Inclusion Alliance Wales Steering Group because he wants to contribute to the strategic direction and leadership of the Alliance, as well as learn from and collaborate with other organisations that are working on digital inclusion in Wales.

Sion Wyn Evans, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales

Sion Wyn Evans is the Policy and Practice Lead for the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales (OPCW).  The role involves leading on the key areas of policy linked to the age-friendly eight domains, sharing good practice to improve experiences for older people and developing and maintaining relationships with older people and other key stakeholders.

Sion also leads on developing and managing a dynamic ‘Community of Practice’, encouraging and enabling members to learn from each other, sharing good practice and contributing to the developing age-friendly movement in Wales.

Sion wanted to join the Steering Group because the OPCW has been involved in various matters relating to Digital Inclusion. In November 2021, the OPCW issued guidance to local authorities and health boards under Section 12 of the Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Act. The guidance set out what needs to be delivered by local authorities and health boards to ensure older people can access information and services in a digital age, and that older people’s rights are protected and upheld. The guidance was accompanied by a proforma requesting information about action in this area to which all local authorities and health boards responded.

In September 2022, the OPCW published ‘Access to information and services in a digital age: Summary of responses from local authorities and health boards’ based on the completed proformas.  Since this report, issues and concerns about digital exclusion raised with the OPCW by older people have increased. Further work is currently being carried out to gather older people’s experiences, with a particular focus on accessing local authority and health board information and services. This will provide insight from the perspective of older people.

Fadhili Maghiya, Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel

Fadhili is the CEO of Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel (SSAP), a network of African communities in Wales contributing to community development in Wales and Africa. With a background in Social Sciences and Human Rights, Fadhili has also worked for the UN tribunal for Rwanda (UNICTR) before relocating to Cardiff in 2013 to work for SSAP –

Fadhili is also the CEO of Watch-Africa CIC, a social enterprise working in the creative sector. He is an Arts Associate for Arts Council Wales, fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and committee member of the National Community Lottery Fund.

Supporter of Arsenal FC, Fadhili enjoys watching and playing football, reading and a healthy debate!