Kelly’s committed to getting Caerphilly online

Risca digital volunteer Kelly Morris believes that volunteering for Get Caerphilly Online has built her confidence and improved her chances of getting a job as well as helping people in the borough access essential online services.

Kelly studied Information Technology at college and was advised by her Work Programme Advisor that volunteering with Get Caerphilly Online was a good way of getting relevant experience for work. Kelly joined Get Caerphilly Online as a volunteer at drop-in sessions in Risca Library. She was soon helping people use computers and tablets for the first time to set up email addresses, access websites and create Universal Job Match Accounts.

Over the last 20 months, Kelly has progressed to running many of the First Click Courses in the area which are designed for people who have never used computers before. She has run introductory courses and taster sessions for over 50’s in Sheltered Housing in the area. There she has helped them use the internet to explore their interests, from genealogy to knitting. Kelly also regularly updates Get Caerphilly Online’s social media pages.

Kelly has now committed over 500 hours of her own time as a volunteer for Get Caerphilly Online.

She said,

“Volunteering for Get Caerphilly Online has helped build my confidence when meeting new people and it is has improved my communication skills and my ability to work with others. I chose to volunteer because the opportunity was there for me to use my skills and offer these skills to the local community - it is a great way to meet new people.

“As well as improving my confidence, there is no doubt that my CV looks so much better with the voluntary work on it. I would say to anyone interested in volunteering to go for it as I have found it incredibly rewarding.

“I like the fact that I am helping the community to get online to do everyday things such as job searches, online shopping, communicating with family and friends, emails, word processing and other computer tasks. Volunteering has been rewarding, interesting and also a lot of fun. The main thing I have enjoyed is seeing people leave happy and with a smile on their face when I’ve helped them. I would say to anyone interested in trying the internet to come to one of the Get Caerphilly Online sessions and have a go. You can’t break the equipment and you’ll soon be well away.”

Kelly believes that anybody considering volunteering should do it.

“The best thing I have ever done is volunteer. I would recommend it to anyone. Helping people has been awesome.”

Matthew Lloyd is area broker for Communities 2.0, the Welsh Government programme which helped set up Get Caerphilly Online. He commented:

“Kelly has achieved a great deal since joining Get Caerphilly Online. Her work has made a difference to many people in her local area and across the Caerphilly Borough who have benefitted directly from her support, skills and enthusiasm. I’ve seen Kelly’s confidence grow over time and I know she has found the experience incredibly rewarding. We are incredibly lucky that she continues to give her time while searching for employment.

“Communities 2.0 support is now available in all areas of Wales. To date, thousands who would otherwise remain digitally isolated, have now discovered the rewards of being online.

“Connecting people in our communities with loved ones living abroad via Skype, providing people searching for work with more online skills including the ability to find work, and ensuring disabled individuals are supported to develop new skills, are just a few examples of what is now available to every person in Wales. Now is the time to get online!”

The Welsh Government and European Regional Development Funded programme provides training free of charge to Welsh residents and is delivered through partnerships with public libraries, job centres and community buildings. To date the programme has supported over 42,000 people to get online and start using the internet. 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 e-mail at bevanm@caerphilly.gov.uk

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For further information please contact:

David Madge, Marketing and Press Officer 01792 484005 david.madge@walescooperative.org

Matthew Lloyd, Communities 2.0, 07766 495617 matthew.lloyd@walescooperative.org.uk