An initiative to get more people using the internet in Caerphilly County Borough has helped 2,500 people.
Get Caerphilly Online holds support sessions across the area for people wanting help in using the internet. As part of its help, the campaign runs ‘Digital Fridays’ drop-in sessions at libraries.
Craig Clark, a Get Caerphilly Online Officer, said: “We have quite a number of people coming to us for support around the changes to the benefit system at the moment and the introduction of ‘Universal Jobmatch’.
“While anyone from the age of 16 is welcome we are here to help anyone of any age, many of our learners are aged 50 and over. Getting online has many benefits including saving money, learning, communicating more easily and finding a job. Not being online these days places us all at a disadvantage.”
Cllr Ken James, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Sustainable Development, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with a range of agencies to promote digital inclusion. Encouraging our residents to learn the skills needed to access the Internet is important to us here at the council, as online communication, education and job opportunities become more prominent. I look forward to hearing about the next 2,500 people who have been supported through this project.”
The campaign has recently benefitted from the support of volunteers and is keen to recruit more to develop more opportunities across the borough. More information on volunteering and the campaign can be found at www.getcaerphillyonline.org.uk
Get Caerphilly Online is a partnership between existing initiatives supported by the Welsh Government Communities 2.0 programme, Caerphilly Borough Council and Get IT Together – a nationwide digital inclusion programme run by national charity Citizens Online with support from BT, Nominet Trust, Communities 2.0 and a variety of local partners.
If you would like to find out more or join Get Caerphilly Online, contact Matthew Bevan of CCBC Community Regeneration on 01443 864305 or by email at bevanm@caerphilly.gov.uk