Bolton’s offering free support to help more residents online this October as part of the Greater Manchester Digitober and National Get Online Week campaigns.
Bolton Council and its partners are providing digital family fun days, targeted help across the Bolton Family Hub network, free access to SIMs, smart phones, laptops and other digital devices, plus taster sessions and training.
With an estimated 26,000 residents at high risk of digital exclusion, based on research from the Greater Manchester Digital Exclusion Risk Index 2024 (DERI), many people don’t have access or know how to use mobile phones, laptop computers and other digital devices.
Those not online are disadvantaged, with 90% of all jobs only being advertised online and more of life’s essentials done electronically such as banking, home shopping, customer service enquiries, and applying for education and training.
Digitober, which takes place throughout October, not only aims to reduce digital exclusion but also celebrates the success of the digital technology and business sectors across Greater Manchester.
Promoting Greater Manchester as a leader in digital technology helps it attract inward investment and new jobs, leveraging its high-tech infrastructure including ultra-fast broadband, free public Wi-Fi areas, transformation of public services, innovative business developments and category leading academic sectors.
While the focus is primarily for those who have little or no experience in using IT such as smart phones, tablets, or PCs, the Digitober campaign also encourages everyone to update their IT knowledge as digital skills are a key factor in boosting job creation and economic growth.
Locals are encouraged to drop into the digital family fun days to find out more about what digital has to offer.
Both events are from 11am to 3pm, at Bolton Central Library on Saturday October 25 and High Street Library on Thursday, October 30.
Visitors can explore the digital world, enjoy LEGO robot building and coding, delve into Minecraft worlds, and take part in music workshops which both include digital and non-digital music activities.
Plus, there is a ‘Silent Disco’, and people can try out the library’s free e-book and e-audiobook download service and enter a free prize raffle.
To find out more about the events and to book a free place on a music workshop, visit: www.boltondes.org.uk/news
Parents and young people with little or no confidence in using technology can now also get digital help at their local Family Hub centre, which offers free advice and use of PCs and digital equipment, plus free data SIMs with funding support from Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Anyone with limited IT skills is urged to find out about the range of support available to help them build confidence and get online.
The Bolton Digital Employment and Skills team (DES) have already supported hundreds of people with access to free SIM cards for smart phones, and digital devices over recent years.
Based at Bolton Central Library, the DES team offer 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.
Anyone struggling to get online or lacking confidence with digital equipment can drop in to get free support including:
- Borrowing devices
- Help getting online
- Browsing the internet
- Mobile phone Apps
- Online shopping
- Applying for jobs
- Setting up email accounts
- Joining training courses
Find out more here.
National Get Online Week, 20 to 26 October, also focuses on promoting digital inclusion, raising awareness by sharing key events, news, and articles from industry leaders and opinion informers.
Cllr Nick Peel, Leader of Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Digital Development Lead, said:
“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.”
Contact the DES team on 01204 332853 DES@bolton.gov.uk or call in to your nearest library for help with digital devices and training.