Get Online With Digital Fridays

Digital Fridays has become a regular occurrence within libraries across Caerphilly County Borough. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Delivered as part of the Get Caerphilly Online project and funded by Communities First, Digital Fridays is a free drop-in service open every Friday morning for people who want to learn new or improve their IT skills. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Since its launch in December 2012, the project has helped over 1700 people and recruited enough volunteers to allow it to be delivered in 7 libraries. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The volunteers have committed a total of 5,657 volunteer hours to the project, which has seen around 10 securing employment. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Damon Christopher, Senior Library Assistant said, “As it’s a drop in session we never know what or how many people we will be dealing with. It can range from giving advice to a senior citizen on how to set up Skype, teaching a customer how to use new software or even doing a taster session with a customer.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Ken James, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and sustainable development said, “Delivering these sessions is clearly hugely popular within the borough. With technology ever expanding, it has become imperative for us to know how to use computers and these sessions are a perfect way for all abilities to gain help and support in building their knowledge and confidence. I would like to say a huge thank you to the staff and volunteers who make this possible as without you we could not open across so many areas.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you would like to find out more about Digital Fridays in your area please visit the Digital Fridays section or contact Matthew Bevan, Community Regeneration Coordinator on 01443 864305. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​