Digital Skills

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected us in several ways, including the way we access services, increase our knowledge and skills, search for jobs and how we socialise with friends and family.

This page will provide you:

  • support on how to get online
  • ways to access online services
  • support for local businesses
  • information for local organisations and volunteers who have a passion to help Wealden residents to go digital.

For you

Courses to access online

 

Street learning

A number of our partners also regularly run IT courses to help people get online and/or improve their computer skills. These courses are run at various locations in Wealden and Eastbourne and are free to all Wealden and Eastbourne residents aged 19 or over. Find out about our Street Learning programme.

 

I.T For You – Basic IT sessions

East Sussex Libraries presents I.T For You, where you can learn how to use email, construct a CV, search and apply for work online and access online services and support.

I.T For You volunteers offer 1 to 1 and group training sessions at:

  • Hailsham Library
  • Crowborough Library
  • Heathfield Library
  • Uckfield Library
  • Eastbourne Library
  • Hampden Park Library

For more information and to book, phone East Sussex Libraries on 01323 463759 or drop in to a participating library during the I.T For You session.

 

Learn My Way

The Good Things Foundation have provided free access for  ‘Learn My Way’ courses. These courses can help you learn digital skills in a safe and easy way. These courses will include information on: using email, creating spreadsheets and presentations, video calling, online shopping, Facebook, online safety, mobile banking and more.

Good Things Foundation is partnering with Google to deliver ‘Make It Click’, which provides free courses to those who are new to accessing the internet and will encourage you to take the next step to improving your digital skills.

Digital tablets to loan to carers

Association for Carers have a number of Android Tablets which they are able to loan to carers for 6 months. This is to try to support carers to access virtual activities as well as shopping etc., anything that supports them in their caring role.  Volunteers will help them to learn how to use it.

At the end of 6 months Association for Carers will work with the carer to purchase their own tablet, either through their Carers Personal Budget or privately financed.  Volunteers will then help them to set up their new tablet.

Association for Carers are also supporting carers with their own IT equipment remotely.  

For more information please contact Maggie via email on Maggie@associationofcarers.org.uk.

Services to access online

Did you know you can access a number of health services online, saving yourself time and money?

You can go to the NHS website to: 

  • find health and wellbeing information
  • organise repeated prescriptions
  • access mental health services 

Contact your local GP to find out more on how to access the following services online:

  • advice and support on ordering repeated prescriptions
  • see parts of your health record,
  • including information about medicines, vaccinations and test results
  • see communications between your GP surgery and other services, such as hospitals
  • book, check or cancel appointments with a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional

Resource Guide to Digital Inclusion in East Sussex

Southdown’s newly updated Resource Guide to Digital Inclusion in East Sussex is here. 

  • Are you struggling to support someone to get online and/ or use devices?
  • Would you like to develop your own skills and improve your confidence so that you can support others?
  • Does your service or organisation need support to enable you and your staff to facilitate, and/ or improve, virtual/ digital care pathways?

Digital Support for Local Businesses

Make it Click – Build a business

Learn how to get your business online, sell products or services to customers, online promotion, all whilst staying secure.

The Make It Click small business hub is backed by the Federation of Small Businesses.

For local organisations aiming to tackle digital exclusion

The Digital Toolkit 

Are you an organisation or a volunteer passionate about helping people improve their digital skills or to help residents get online?

The Digital Inclusion Toolkit will help you find and share information about tackling digital exclusion in your area.

 

All Digital Week

All Digital Week is an annual digital inclusion campaign which runs annually every March and local organisations can get involved. All Digital Week encourages various activities to support local residents who are interested to improve their digital skills. 

Organisations can get involved by:

  • Organising an event or training to help residents improve their digital skills;
  • Promote digital resources and services;
  • Raise awareness of digital exclusion;

Check out the All Digital Week website for more information.