Council and partners team up for fun free digital days this month to help get more residents get the benefits of being online
Bolton Council has revealed its plans for Greater Manchester Digitober and National Get Online Week, with digital family fun days, targeted help across the Bolton Family Hub network, and free access to SIMs, smart phones, laptops and other digital devices, with taster sessions and training.
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As we’ve reported before, digital exclusion puts people are at a serious disadvantage. Some 90% of jobs are now only advertised online, for example. Banking, home shopping, customer service enquiries and applications for education and training are increasingly handled electronically.
But the Greater Manchester Digital Exclusion Risk Index 2024 (DERI) estimated that some 26,000 residents across the region are at high risk of digital exclusion. They may lack access to devices or the internet, they may lack skills to use device or go online.
Digitober, taking place throughout the whole of this month, aims to reduce digital exclusion but also celebrates the success of the digital technology and business sectors across Greater Manchester, with high-tech infrastructure including ultra-fast broadband and free public Wi-Fi areas. The region is seeing a huge transformation of public services, innovative business developments and category-leading academic sectors.
In addition, events during National Get Online Week, which runs from October 20 to 26 this year, will focus on promoting digital inclusion and raising awareness by sharing key events, news and articles from industry leaders and opinion informers.
While the primary focus of such activities is those with little or no experience in using smart phones, tablets or PCs, the organisers encourage everyone to take this opportunity to enhance their IT knowledge and skills by visiting one of the digital family fun days.
These will run from 11am to 3pm at Bolton Central Library on Saturday, 25 October and at the same time at High Street Library on Thursday, 30 October. Activities will include LEGO robot building and coding, exploration of Minecraft worlds and music workshops involving digital and non-digital music activities. Visitors will also be able to try the library’s free e-book and e-audiobook download service, enter a prize raffle and take part in a silent disco.
What’s more, parents and young people who lack confidence in using technology can now get help from their local Family Hub centre. Advice and use of PCs and digital equipment is availablefor free, with free data SIMs supported by Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Based at Central Library, Bolton Digital Employment and Skills (DES) offers digital skills training and drop-in and one-to-one sessions, lending laptops and tablets and provide easier ways to get online with low-cost broadband social tariffs.
Cllr Nick Peel, Leader of Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Digital Development Lead, says: ‘We want everyone in Bolton to be engaged in a digital borough, where no one is left behind or disadvantaged because they can’t access and use digital technology. It also supports Bolton’s ambition to be a part of a world-leading digital city region and is part of Greater Manchester’s plan to combat digital exclusion and close the digital divide in society.
‘Being online can help people save money, find new opportunities and improve the quality of their lives, yet there are many who still have little or no access to the internet. I’d urge everyone to join in activities and take up the free offer to learn a little more about the digital world we all live in.’
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