A borough’s digitally deprived can access free support across key public venues.
The Information Technology inclusion drive is being co-ordinated by Blackburn with Darwen Council as part of the national ‘Get Online Week’ which starts on Monday (October 20).
Lots of free support is on offer at venues across the borough to help people with no digital access to upskill and grow their confidence.
A wide range of partners in Blackburn with Darwen borough are delivering a variety of skills-building sessions.
This includes drop-in support sessions, topic-focused sessions such as online banking and digital skills and employability, and longer-term digital skills courses.
Some 52 per cent of UK adults don’t have essential digital skills for work, and millions still face barriers to digital confidence, from fear of AI to not feeling safe online – so says Good Things Foundation, which leads Get Online Week every October.
The aim of Get Online Week from October 20 to 26 is to help people take practical steps to build their confidence and independence with navigating the online world.
Blackburn with Darwen Council’s digital and customer services boss Cllr Shaukat Hussain said: “Research from Good Things Foundation highlights how low digital confidence and skills can impact people finding and taking job opportunities, making savings and getting involved in online activities.
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“Getting online and learning new digital skills can help you to save money on your bills, find work, stay in touch with friends and family and much, much more – but it can be hard to know where to turn if you need some help to get started.
“I’m really pleased that through Blackburn with Darwen’s Digital Inclusion Network, partners have mobilised to offer a range of activities and learning opportunities during Get Online Week to support people who want to boost their digital skills.”
Blackburn with Darwen’s free Get online Week activities include:
Events in Blackburn Central Library:
Digital Resources Promotion BorrowBox & Comics Plus, Monday October 20 from 11am to 12pm and 2pm to 3pm;
Library Online Resources Monday October 20 10am;
Online Banking with Halifax Tuesday, October 21, 10am;
Affordable Internet, Wednesday, October 22 10am;
Reminiscence Session – ‘Blackburn Library: Pages from the Past’, Thursday, October 23 10am;
Introduction to Ancestry, Friday, October 24 10am;
Green Libraries Saturday, October 25 11am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3pm
More events across various venues include:
Blackburn with Darwen Adult Learning ICT Skills & Job Club, Tuesday October 21 from 9:30–11:30am at Darwen Community Helpers;
Wednesday October 22 Bank Top NLC from 9.30–1.:30am and Thursday October 23, 1–3pm at Audley NLC;
Blackburn with Darwen Adult Learning Essential Digital Skills – Digital Communication, Starts Wednesday October 23 , 9:30–11:30am for two weeks at various venue;
Age UK Online Safety Information Stall, Wednesday, October22 , 10am–12.30pm in Blackburn Mall;
All Blackburn with Darwen Libraries Daily “Get Online Week” Sessions Monday – Friday 10am and 2pm on Friday
IMO CharityFeeling Confident Online – Interactive SEND Session, Sunday October 26, 3–5pm at Blackburn Youth Zone.
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