Critically analyze and understand a problem situation and develop innovative approaches to closing the digital divide within the Rolford community The digital divide is a contemporary phenomenon in which different demographic groups and regions have limited or no access to modern information and communications technology ICT According to the National Office for National Statistics despite a gradual decline in digital exclusion in the UK over the last decade 53 million adults or 100 of the adult population were still experiencing this situation in 2018 More recent figures from the pandemic show a decrease in households without internet connectivity from 11 in March 2020 when the UK lockdown began to approximately 6 or around one and a half million homes in March 2021 However the digital divide continues to affect 6 of the UK population with poorer communities being disproportionately impacted Rolford City in the northwest of the United Kingdom is a thriving community with a diverse demographic According to a recent strategy report from Rolford City Council more than half 51 of the regions child population lives in poverty making them more vulnerable to digital exclusion and as a result affecting future generations development and talent pooling This demonstrates a significant digital divide that poses challenges for residents particularly those in lowincome areas and necessitates action from the Rolford City Council Despite the current digital divide problem Rolford City Council has made limited and ineffective efforts to develop creative and innovative solutions and interventions to address it Mena is a single mother living in a lowincome neighbourhood in the Rolford city region She has two children Nouf and Hanayin ages 11 and 12 respectively Mena works hard to provide for her family but she struggles to meet the growing digital demands for education job opportunities and basic services Nouf and Hanayin attend a local school that primarily relies on digital tools and online resources for instruction However Mena is unable to provide them with personal computers or reliable internet access at home As a result her children lag behind their peers who have access to such resources Mena is concerned about the digital divides impact on their educational opportunities and future prospects Mena has been actively seeking employment opportunities to help her familys financial situation However many job applications are now submitted online and employers expect digital literacy Menas lack of access to technology and the necessary skills complicates her search for suitable employment Digital access is critical for obtaining essential services such as healthcare government services and social assistance Mena finds it difficult to navigate these services online and she frequently relies on help from friends or family members with digital access This reliance on others adds to her burden and limits her autonomy