National Campaign Boosts Digital Skills in Shropshire
Get Online Week, the UK’s largest digital inclusion campaign, starts October 14. Shropshire Council’s Digital Skills Programme will join the campaign at events across the area to encourage people to get connected.
A Shropshire digital skills volunteer and learner
Now in its 18th year, Get Online Week is coordinated by UK charity The Good Things Foundation. Whether people want to start managing their money online, learn about scams and security, or gain basic digital skills for employment, the message is that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to benefit from being online.
The council’s Digital Skills Programme has 26 learning hubs, all of which are network members of the Good Things Foundation. Through these, people can access free weekly one-to-one digital support, Digital Drop-Ins for one-off technical help, and SIM cards and devices for those in greatest need. A dedicated network of friendly and knowledgeable Digital Volunteers and staff supports the service.
Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and digital said:
“Get Online Week is a fantastic initiative by The Good Things Foundation, and we are very pleased to support the campaign with an exciting week of events from our digital skills programme. We hope residents can come along and find out the services we offer to help develop digital skills, get connected and stay safe online.”
During Get Online Week, there will be events across the county for residents to find out about the free support available. Booking is required for some events.
Daily from Monday 14th to Friday 18th – A series of audio Tech-Talks released daily during Get Online Week. Listen to Tech Coordinator Vicki as she describes how digital technology can help visually impaired people in their daily life.
Sight Loss Shropshire online event. Visit Sight Loss Shropshire Tech Talk
Monday 14 October 2024
10.30am to 12.30pm – Jubilee Digital Drop in. Free drinks and biscuits. Booking not required. Mayfair Community Centre event. Easthope Rd, Church Stretton SY6 6BL
11.00am to 1.00pm – Digital Drop-in for one-off technical support and digital skills information. Enterprise House event. Bishops Castle Library, Enterprise House, Station Road, Bishops Castle SY9 5AQ. Tel: 01588 638038
Tuesday 15 October 2024
09.00am to 12.45pm – Shropshire Council Digital Skills Information Pop-up. Booking not required. Upper Level, The Market Hall, Shrewsbury SY1 1HQ
11.00am to 1.00pm – Free Lunch & Learn 4 All Foundation event. The Zone Community Hub, Linden Way, Market Drayton TF9 1QR. Tel: 0800 321 3617
1.15pm to 2.15pm – Open to the Innage Lane community and adults with learning disabilities/difficulties in the community. Join us to find out more about Taking Part’s digital skills sessions. Taking Part event. 2, Innage Lane, Bridgnorth WV16 4HL. Tel: 01743 363399 or text 07397 646608
1.30pm to 2.30pm – Open to those accessing Bethphage’s services and adults with learning disabilities/difficulties in the community. Find out more about Taking Part’s digital skills sessions. Sight Loss Shropshire will be exploring ways to use Alexa.
Taking Part event. Bethphage, 8, Longbow Close, Harlescott Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 3GZ. Tel: 01743 363399 or text 07397 646608
2.00pm to 4.00pm – Shropshire Council Digital Skills Information Pop-up with Age UK Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. Booking not required.
Shropshire Local, The Darwin Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury SY1 1PL
2.00pm to 4.00pm – Why should I go online? Presentation and fun Google Maps digital activity. Free drinks and biscuits Mayfair Community Centre event. The Activity Room, Easthope Rd, Church Stretton SY6 6BL. Tel: 01694 722077
Wednesday 16 October 2024
10.00am to 1.00pm – Scam-Savvy Digital Drop-In with Qube. Booking not required. OsNosh, Oak St, Oswestry SY11 1LW
From 10.00am – Barclays “Ways to Bank” session for online banking. Booking not required. BizEd Projects event, No. 2, 42, High St, Whitchurch, SY13 1BB. Tel: 01948 411533
7.00pm to 7.30pm – Online Relationships Advice. Open to adults who attend Taking Part’s disco nights. Carers can learn how to guide the safe use of online chat facilities.
Visit https://www.takingpart.co.uk/escape-club-nights for more information.
Taking Part event. The Hive, 5 Belmont, Shrewsbury SY1 1TE. Tel: 01743 363399 or text 07397 646608
Thursday 17 October 2024
10.00am to 12.00pm- NHS App introduction and talk followed by one-to-one digital support. Bring your device if you have one. Free drinks and biscuits. Mayfair Community Centre event, The Activity Room, Easthope Rd, Church Stretton SY6 6BL. Tel: 01694 722077
For more about the Shropshire Digital Skills Programme, visit Computer Skills For All
