The launch of an innovative volunteer training programme marks a significant milestone in Greater Manchester’s commitment to fix the digital divide across the city region.
Its aim is to ensure volunteers in our communities are well equipped to support residents so they can benefit from technology and access essential services online, helping them to live well.
Community volunteers play a key role in bridging the digital and social divide in Greater Manchester. They provide residents with support and advice to help improve digital literacy and give them the confidence to use technology safely.
Tackling digital exclusion helps people make the most of technology, connecting them to others and making their lives easier. It can also positively impact on local services such as primary care by helping people to learn simple tasks like booking GP appointments, managing their healthcare online or finding alternative support from groups in their local community.
The Digital Champion training programme will provide standardised training for around 170 Champions already volunteering across the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. This will help them confidently support residents, new community volunteers, and each other.
The programme is a cross-sector collaboration between GMCA’s Digital Inclusion Action Network, global telecoms provider Cellnex and Stockport community organisation Starting Point. It is funded through a £30,000 investment from Cellnex, and Starting Point will lead delivery of the 12-month bitesize training programme across all 10 boroughs.
This is part of Greater Manchester’s wider ‘GM Live Well’ ambition that will ensure everyday support is consistently available in every neighbourhood across Greater Manchester. This brings together a wide range of public services, community organisations and other partners to provide simple support and advice that helps residents live as well as they can and deal with the problems they may have.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:
“We want to ensure that everyone across Greater Manchester can access everyday support in every neighbourhood to live well. In an increasingly digital world this means anyone, regardless of age or background, should have the opportunity to build their digital skills and confidence.
“Our Digital Inclusion Action Network is committed to tackling the digital skills gap in our region and empowering our workforce and volunteers, so no one is left behind in this digital age. By addressing the digital skills gap we can help more people into good work, we can help them find activities in their community to keep them healthy and happy, and we relieve pressures on other services so that these in turn can help more people.”
