A DEVORAN man's work in using digital technology to help community projects has been hailed as one of the best in Europe.

Robert Woolf, who with his wife Kathryn runs a digital media consultancy in Penryn, has just returned from a conference organised by the European Commission in Brussels, at which he was the only UK speaker invited to take part.

The Carbon Makeover project he talked about involved local people in south Bristol whom he helped to reduce their carbon footprint, find new ways of working, and breathe new life into their community.

In their feedback EU officials said: "Carbon Makeover is a win-win project and the most interesting example we saw of community work that demonstrates environmental sustainability and social cohesion."

Robert explained: "The community in south Bristol was ranked in the worst 10% in the country for housing, health, educational attainment and employment, and in terms of its consumption of natural resources, its carbon footprint was the worst in the city.

"But the project has shown that you can use digital media to bridge social and economic divides and help people realise their creative, educational and social potential in a way that benefits the environment."

The workshops have helped some people to develop their own businesses. Robert said: "One woman developed a website to get her gardening business off the ground. Another, who has been unable to leave her house for 20 years, has found new freedom, thanks to learning how to use a laptop and the internet."

Robert said he gets the greatest satisfaction from the latter, seeing how digital technology can change people's lives.

He explained: "I've worked with brands like Orange, VisitBritain and the BBC, as well as with small-scale community projects and local charities, and it's empathising with people and dealing with them face-to-face that I most enjoy."

It was University College Falmouth which approached Robert to help with the Bristol project, and he would now like to put the lessons he has learned to good use in Cornwall.

He said: "There are so many communities which would benefit from similar schemes here.

"It's about using technology to help people do what they want to do – not imposing technology on them.

"What I've enjoyed is working with the community to skill people in digital media, gain their trust, and help improve their economic situation.

"To see previously unengaged individuals become engaged and stay engaged, has been equally life-changing for me."

For more information about Robert's work see the website www.sea02.com