Our popular Digital Skills Programme has received £107,415.20 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The programme pilot began in 2020 and has been commissioned by Shropshire Council since 2022, helping residents to reap the benefits of digital skills for life, learning and leisure, and is delivered through libraries and partners in the community.
Volunteer-led digital support is provided through a combination of free, weekly learning sessions, and digital drop-ins that provide one-off help with tasks like setting up a new device. Limited free equipment and data is available to encourage people to get online if they don’t already own a digital device.
The additional funding will provide higher levels of free digital support, enabling participants to access a range of life-enhancing online services, plus more free equipment and data for people that need it most.
Bill, a recent participant in the Digital Skills Programme said:
“I’d avoided the problem for too long. For me, not understanding how to use computers was like a form of illiteracy. Now, I have a group email for my cycling club so arranging bike rides is easy and I use messaging and WhatsApp to keep in touch with friends. Older people need to keep learning. Thanks to this initiative, I feel more confident about life and the future. I’m prepared to try new things online and don’t worry so much. For me, that’s a real result.”
Shropshire’s digital skills programme is available to people who are included in one or more of the following groups:
- Aged 65 and over
- Live alone
- Provide unpaid care for a friend or family member, or receive care themselves
- Have a disability or a health condition
- Receive pension credit or another means tested benefit
The Digital Skills Programme supports 750 people each year through 18 Shropshire Library locations and 10 local voluntary and community organisations. For more information and to join the waiting list for support, contact your local library or learning centre, telephone 01743 254834 or visit our website.
