Get Online Week 2020 is coming and it’s saying ‘now’s the time to get online’.
This year has shown us just how much of a difference the internet can make to our
lives. But too many people are still being left behind, without the skills or access they need to benefit from being online. Get Online Week 2020 – taking place 19-25 October – is here to speak for these people, and to help them find free and friendly support, so they can make the most of the internet.
The benefits of being online during lockdown were huge. Video calls helped us to safely see our loved ones. Digital tools meant that millions of people could work from home and children could keep up with their schoolwork. And for those people for whom even a trip to the supermarket was a significant risk to their health, internet shopping was a lifeline.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for everyone – 9 million people in the UK can’t use the internet or their device without help, and 4.7 million people don’t have any digital skills at all. These people were left even more isolated than the rest of us.
Covid has left us with a world that presumes people are computer literate and has forced us all to rely on computers even more for the basic things in life. The pandemic proved that the internet is a key for everyday life and knowing how to use it is an essential skill. That’s why Get Online Week is more important than ever. For everyone who felt left behind this year because they weren’t sure how to Zoom, or were worried about shopping online, or who now need new skills for work – our campaign is here to help.
Here at The Water Lily Project we are offering two levels of FREE support. Based at the charity’s community café in Barrack Road in Christchurch, an IT suite is available to offer one to one training every Wednesday from 10.15am to 1.45pm. Places must be booked in advance to adhere to Covid guidelines and social distancing rules.
Because of Covid restrictions, there will also be free support available over the phone during Get Online Week for those who don’t feel comfortable coming into the computer suite. Over the phone, there is chance to chat through their digital dilemmas with our IT expert.
So, whether it’s an online application you need help with, maybe you want to get to grips with Google or familiar with Facebook or learn to send an email, these sessions can help get you up to speed. Our aim is to support people of all ages to feel confident about getting online. To book a one to one computer training session at The Water Lily Project computer suite or a one to one over the phone call 01202 246763 (answerphone available out of hours) or if you have access to email, contact it@waterlilyproject.org.uk
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS, YOU MUST BOOK YOUR SLOT IN ADVANCE.