Minister visits Beginners Computer Classes in Wrexham

Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Jeff Cuthbert AM visited a First Click for Beginners Course in Cefn Mawr Library, Wrexham, today (Thursday 28^th August).

The visit allowed the Minister the opportunity to see how the Welsh Government’s Communities 2.0 project is helping individuals in the community to learn how to use computers to access essential public services and how ICT skills development fits in to efforts to tackle financial and digital exclusion in Wrexham.

 ‘Get Online Flintshire and Wrexham’ was set up with Communities 2.0 support to help people in Flintshire and Wrexham to get more from technology and the web. It employs two part-time outreach officers to deliver drop-in and regular, organised training sessions in local, accessible community venues.

Communities 2.0 is a European Regional Development Funded Welsh Government project which tackles digital exclusion across Wales.

The Minister spoke to participants at a First Click for Beginners course which is aimed at people with little or no experience of using a computer. The course covers the basics from switching on the computer to using a mouse and keyboard. By the end of the six hour course the students will be comfortable using a mouse and keyboard and able to browse the internet and use the email address that they  set up themselves as part of the course.

The Minister commented,

“As we move forward with the digital revolution and more services are available online it’s important for everyone to be able to benefit. Faster broadband speeds and improved online services have enhanced the internet experience of those that have embraced technology. But those without internet access and skills will find it difficult to get a job, progress in their career and increasingly, access public services.

“Four in five people in Wales use the internet and are able to take advantage of the opportunities that the digital world presents. The Welsh Government is committed to helping the one in five who are not yet part of the digital revolution.”

A feature of the work being delivered in Wrexham is the use of Digital Champion Volunteers who are trained to cascade knowledge into the community.

One of the volunteers on the project is Dewi Jones. Dewi is retired but has over 37 years experience in the IT industry as a Project Manager and Mainframe Service Line Manager. As well as his work with Communities 2.0, Dewi also volunteers at the local hospital shop and at the information point at the World Heritage site, Pontcysylltle Aqueduct.

Dewi commented,

“I’m retired, and have a certain level of ICT knowledge gained from my working life that I am happy to pass on to other people. It keeps me busy and also gives me an enormous amount of satisfaction when I see people who were previously almost frightened of computers confidently sending emails or contacting family members on Skype.”

Since Communities 2.0 began in Wales over 600people have benefited from supportin the county of Wrexham with nearly 300 of these delivered more recently through the phase 2 funded initiative “Get Online Flintshire and Wrexham”.  This project, along with a National Digital Outreach Project continues to direct its energies towards introducing individuals to technology via computers, tablets, mobile phones or any other relevant source.

The ‘Get Online Flintshire and Wrexham’ Initiative is well supported by both the public  and third sectors with the local CVC (AVOW) and Wrexham and Flintshire County Borough Councils as partners.  The initiative is available to anyone but focusses on four priority groups: people in social housing, older people, people with disabilities and people who are economically inactive.

Cathryn Marcus is Project Director at Communities 2.0. She commented,

 “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 pensioners with loved ones living abroad via Skype; providing unemployed people with qualifications and the ability to find work and ensuring disabled individuals can access skills they thought unobtainable. These 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 organisations..

Information on free adult ICT session with Communities 2.0 is available from 0845 474 8282 or from local libraries, drop-in centres, post offices or other community venues.