Drop In To Your Local Newport Library For Free IT Help
Digital Fridays take place at libraries across the City of Newport and can offer help and advice on a range of IT issues.
If you have a question about computers, the internet, tablets or smartphones, advice on how to use email effectively, want to look for a job or just how to search online, then Digital Friday free drop in sessions are for you.
Friendly tutors are on hand to answer questions, give advice and help you get more IT savvy.
Digital Friday sessions are run by Newport City Council’s library service in partnership with the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Employees from their Newport office are volunteer tutors, as part of the ONS corporate social responsibility initiative, and provide help with getting online.
It is just one way in which Newport is working to become a digital city.
Councillor Debbie Harvey, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “Libraries can provide a wealth of information and free online access – so having people on hand to give one-to-one help and support is extremely valuable.”
Nathanael Jones, Digital Manager at ONS, said: “With more and more services going online it is becoming essential to have basic digital skills. At ONS we try and think digital first, and we want to play an important role in ensuring the digital world is an inclusive one, and these sessions are just a part of that work.
“We often forget that the things that seem every day to us can be a challenge to someone just starting out on their digital journey, and these sessions will help more and more people in Newport to experience the benefits of being able access digital technology. We’re also working with other local councils and housing associations to help widen the scheme to cover more areas and reach as many people as possible.”
If you need to do something specific, such as filling out a form or applying for something online, you can call in for one-off help. Or if you would like to get generally more IT literate, you can visit as many times as you’d like.
Councillor Roger Jeavons, Newport City Council’s Cabinet Member for Work and Skills, said: “People often find technology daunting or are afraid to do things in new ways. But, especially with the support of our Digital Friday team, it can open so many doors and opportunities. Working in partnership with the ONS has enabled more people to get help with digital skills – we must thank them for helping Newport to become a digitally inclusive city.”
Kerry Davies of Newport, who has attended Digital Fridays, said: “The sessions have helped me to learn about the different things I can do on my laptop. It’s nice having someone to work with.”
Free Wi-Fi is also available at all Newport libraries plus other venues across the city including community and learning centres, the Riverfront Theatre, leisure centres, Newport Museum and Art Gallery, Caerleon Town Hall, Newport Market, Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, Malpas Court, Beechwood House and Belle Vue Park Pavilion – look out for the community cloud logo.
Digital Friday session times:
Rogerstone Library: 9.15 – 11.15am (fortnightly)
Bettws Library: 9.30 – 11.30am (fortnightly)
Ringland Library: 2 – 4pm (weekly)
Central Library: 2 – 4pm (fortnightly)
Please see www.newport.gov.uk/heritage for the latest session dates.
Digital Fridays is an example of how Newport City Council is supporting the development of a more digitally inclusive city. The council’s Digital Strategy recognises that times are changing with a rapid growth and uptake of mobile devices, social media and high-speed broadband.
In order to keep pace with the advances in technology, the strategy details how the council will enhance internet connectivity across the city, how technology will be used to increase access to and improve the delivery of council services, and how we will work towards becoming a 24/7 council.
Newport City Council is also aiming to adopt the principles of the Digital Inclusion Charter which was launched by Digital Communities Wales (DCW) earlier this year.
The charter includes six pledges and is a simple way for organisations to show how they are helping digitally excluded people enjoy the benefits of the internet.
The principles are:
1. Ensure that staff and volunteers have an opportunity to learn basic digital skills, and that they take advantage of this opportunity.
2. Ensure that digital inclusion principles are embedded into our day to day activities.
3. Encourage and support staff and volunteers to help other people to get online and have the confidence to develop basic digital skills, and help other organisations to embrace digital tools.
4. Commit support and resources for digital inclusion activities and initiatives in Wales in whatever ways we can.
5. Share best practice and activity around digital inclusion with Digital Communities Wales so that activities can be co-ordinated for maximum impact and measured consistently.
6. Look to build local partnerships among organisations which want to share ideas and co-ordinate activities with others in their area.
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