Adult education provider, ACL Essex, is looking for people who are enthusiastic about technology to step forward as part of a new volunteer programme, ‘Digital Champions,’ to help connect residents across Essex to the online world.
The new volunteer programme has been set-up to support people to live independently, reduce digital and social isolation, improve users’ confidence with devices, whilst staying secure, and enable all to gain access to education and employment opportunities online.
All volunteers who sign up to the programme will receive access to free training and resources. Each Digital Champion will also be provided with tools to build their own confidence, experience and knowledge of how to support others in their community, which could lead to further information, advice and guidance opportunities and employment. All Digital Champions will be part of a network of volunteers who give their time, ideas and energy to help build happier and healthier places to live for everyone.
Helping to launch the Digital Champions programme is ACL Essex’s Principal, Katherine Burns. She says: “All of our lives are becoming increasingly dependent on digital technology, but for those who struggle with IT, this can make their world very isolating and frustrating. At ACL Essex, we’re keen to boost digital skill levels across the county, and our new ‘Digital Champions’ scheme will help us reach direct into the heart of communities.”
She continued: “We hope our ‘Digital Champions’ programme will make a huge difference to people’s lives, supporting residents to live independently, more connected to important services and in touch with their loved ones.”
The Digital Champions programme is being run by ACL Essex in partnership with the Essex Wellbeing Service, Essex County Council and the Rural Community Council of Essex.
ACL Essex offers a wide range of qualifications and skills at their centres across the county and online. They also offer apprenticeships and professional learning, as well as core subjects, such as English, Maths, Science and Digital Skills. There’s also supported learning for people with learning difficulties, creative and cultural learning, mental health and wellbeing, plus community and family learning.
To discover more about becoming a digital champion, visit www.aclessex.com/digital-champions.
