Background problem/Challenge
In April 2021, just as the country started to fully come out of the coronavirus lockdown and our ways of working and living had changed dramatically, our Community Solutions service was handed the task of launching the Digital Champion programme at Barking and Dagenham Council.
We understood through research commissioned by Citizens Online that lots of residents were digitally excluded and had many reasons not to go online. The programme would aim to change this by encouraging residents to develop their digital skills in friendly, community settings with trained volunteers known as Digital Champions.
The solution
The Volunteering Team began recruiting for the Digital Champions and looked for people who had:
- an interest in technology and the internet. They do not need to be an expert
- knowledge of both basic and additional IT such as emails, skype, using social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
- a willingness to learn and share basic information about Cyber Security
- skills of being enthusiastic and patient
- no issues completing any mandatory training
- a commitment to volunteering as a digital champion for at least 3 months
What benefits were we hoping to see?
By recruiting Digital Champions, there would be a group of people within the community who could:
- help digitally excluded people
- deliver group or one-to-one workshops
- create and grow friendships, networks and groups in the borough
- have specific qualifications, skills and experience
- put their knowledge and experience on their CV for future jobs
- give back to the community
For residents joining the sessions, we would be able to bring down the numbers of residents who do not go online and residents who lack at least one essential digital skill for life.
Results
Digital Champion Serina with a resident who has attended sessions several times to get help with understanding his laptop and phone and how to:
- access files
- sync email to his mobile phone
- set up his banking app
- use basic Microsoft Word and Excel
Digital Champion Graham with resident Malcolm who attended a session for the first time and discussed his goals for future sessions with the Digital Champion, which were to:
- how to set up emails on his phone
- increase his digital confidence
- learn how to browse the internet for information
Digital Champion Jim with two residents who are working together to learn the same things about how to:
- use Microsoft Windows, specifically Word and Excel
- search online for information and training videos
Digital Champion Veronika with resident Luke who attended a session to get assistance with his CV and advice on how to fill out application forms for jobs. He has:
- used a CV maker
- found how to locate jobs online
- been signposted to the JobShop
Digital Champion Margaret with resident Maria who attended a session with her children to:
- get help with basic computer skills to assist her children using the internet
- have her children work with a Digital Champion to increase their understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel and Edge
- increase their digital confidence as a family
What’s next?
Moving forward, the biggest aims are to promote the sessions and assist other locations with starting their own drop-in workshops and also recruit lots more Digital Champions.
We would also like to have targeted sessions with specific courses (like how to set up an email account or My B&D Account) as this will enable a group of residents to all learn the same thing, at the same time and share the same experience. In addition, lots more resources will be produced so learners can take guides away with them.
There will also be some work for ourselves, the CX Team, on building a Digital Champions Portal where Digital Champions can connect with each other, download resources and take part in online courses.
Can you help us with running more sessions and help more residents become digitally
inclusive? If you would like to volunteer as a Digital Champion, please contact Rahat Ismail by email [email protected]
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