Supporting people to develop digital skills in Get Online Week

Community organisations across the borough are joining forces next week to help people who struggle to get online to improve their skills and boost their confidence.

Get Online Week runs from 18-24 October 2021 – The aim is for people to get connected, learn new skills and find out more about digital support they can receive in Blackburn with Darwen.

Free and friendly support is being offered at various venues across the borough and includes: One-to-one tuition, drop in coffee mornings, tablet training, I.T. courses, demonstrations and digital/ICT skill builders.

The initiative is run by Blackburn with Darwen Digital Inclusion Network and aims to offer advice to digitally excluded people to develop the skills to get online.

Vicky Shepherd is the Chief Executive of Age UK Blackburn with Darwen and Chair of the Digital Inclusion Network, she said:

We know that being able to access services and information online is becoming ever more important and those who can’t are at risk of losing out on important services, support and help as well as being less connected with loved ones.

The last 18 months of the pandemic have really shone a light on the challenges that some people face being able to get connected online-whether that be because they don’t have a digital device, don’t have data to connect to the internet or feel that they don’t have the skills and confidence to know how to get started – and the disadvantage that this creates.

During this year’s Get Online Week we want to encourage anyone who is interested in finding out more about how to get connected digitally and the benefits it could bring for them to come along to one of the partner sessions to find out about the help available. Digital really is everywhere in life now so it’s really important that everyone has the opportunity to be connected.

The Blackburn with Darwen Digital Inclusion Network was formed 12 months ago and is a collaborative partnership with the aim of increasing and improving the support available for local people to increase their digital skills.
Membership includes local voluntary sector providers; the Local Authority and NHS and their priorities are to improve access to the support already available and work together to secure resources to increase provision.

Venues taking part in Get Online Week include: Age UK BwD, IMO Charity, BwD CVS, BwD Library Services (Blackburn Central Library, Darwen Library, Roman Road Library) and BwD Adult Learning.

See below for what’s happening when, and details of how to book.

 

Paul Fleming Strategic Director of Resources at Blackburn with Darwen Council echoed the importance of gaining digital skills:

Getting online offers so many opportunities for people, now more than ever. The Council is supporting the Digital Inclusion Network locally to make sure people of the borough have chances to obtain essential digital skills. Getting online can improve access to jobs, help with social connections and make day to day dealings with companies and local services much easier. Get Online Week is a great chance to raise the profile of what’s on offer in Blackburn and Darwen.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood Exec Member for Digital & Customer Services praised the initiative:

We are committed to helping our local communities to develop the skills they need to ensure no one is left behind in this digital age. I also want to applaud the work of the Digital Inclusion Network for ensuring this becomes a reality.