By james art A new project, Let’s Get Digital, Durham, launched on Thursday 24 October to ensure local people have the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the digital world.
The project begins by supporting five community organizations in County/Durham to train digital champions who can help others learn vital digital skills. Embedded in their communities, these Champions are ‘trustees in local places’, providing support in places like community centers – and helping people with whatever they need to learn.
The project launched with an event at Durham Town Hall where nearly 100 people from a range of local community organizations and the public sector came together to share ideas and explore ways to ensure no one is left behind at a time when everything from prescriptions to parking is easier if you have digital skills.
“Digital skills change lives. It’s not just about the practicalities of being able to make a request online or talk to your family on a video call. It’s the independence it brings and the opportunities it opens up,” says Emma Weston, OBE and Chief Executive of Digital Unite, who are providing the Champions training and project support. “
We see some people learn to use the internet and it’s like magic for them – there’s a whole world of possibilities.”
If you are part of a community group and would like to join the project, learn more here:
If you want to try some of the training yourself, check out these free courses: – one on finding accessible internet and one on online safety, both CPD certified.