Bury Council and Six Town Housing support Go Online Week

Bury Council and Six Town Housing have teamed up to encourage residents to get involved in the eighth national Get Online Week.

The two organisations will be hosting drop-in events throughout the week, which runs from 13 to 19 October. Also taking part are the CAB, DWP, voluntary third sector partners, the welfare reform board, and Go on UK.

Get Online Week challenges people to ‘go digital’ and see how much can be done online – from saving money, finding a new home, keeping in touch with friends and family, and opening a bank account.

The sessions are:

• Monday 13 October (10am to 1pm) at Chesham Fold Community Centre


• Wednesday 15 October (10am to 4pm) at Whittaker Street, Radcliffe


• Thursday 16 October (2-5pm) at Bury Library


• Friday 17 October (10am to 4pm) at Bury Town Hall foyer

Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, said: "Whether you want to get a job, get healthy, get connected or get a bargain, getting online could help you do it. But there are still 9.5 million people in the UK who don’t have the basic online skills to make the most of the internet. At a Get Online Week event everyone can get a helping hand to get to grips with the internet once and for all, whatever their level of skill or confidence!"

Sharon McCambridge, chief executive of Six Town Housing, said: "It doesn’t matter if you’ve never touched a computer or been on the internet before, or if you know a little already, we can help you do more of the things you do every day digitally. Access to the internet opens doors and creates opportunities. It makes a big difference to people’s lives."

Booking for the sessions is essential: call 0161 253 7040 to book sessions at Whittaker Street, Chesham and Bury Town Hall, and to book for the Bury Library session call 0161 253 7089.

ENDS

Press release issued: 7 October 2014. 

Picture: At the Go Online Week launch are (from left) Cllr Trevor Holt; Hannah Stredder, digital coach; Kate Hobson, digital coach; Cllr Mike Connolly; Mike Owen, the council’s executive director of resources; Cllr Peter Bury; and Claire Jenkins, the council’s head of customer support and collections.

Note to editors:

Get online week is the biggest campaign in the country that supports people to improve their computer
and internet skills. Now in its eighth year, this year’s campaign aims to encourage people to improve their skills and see what the internet can do for them. Thousands of events will be taking place
throughout the country, where people can get taste of what the internet has to offer. Find a local event by visiting www.getonlineweek.com or calling 0800 77 1234.

Get Online Week is run by Tinder Foundation, a not for profit social enterprise that makes good
things happen through digital technology. Established in December 2011 as a staff-owned mutual, Tinder Foundation supports the 5,000 strong network of hyperlocal UK online centres, and works with hundreds of national organisations from government departments to charities and large corporations making sure technology makes more good things happen for more people

Six Town Housing is an arms-length management organisation (ALMO) set up in April 2005 to manage Bury Council's housing stock and a range of other assets, including garages, shops and a
number of community facilities.

We provide a wide range of services to our customers, directly and through service level agreements, contracts and partnerships.