The team at Inclusive Bytes are building digital confidence while building their own social skills
Oldham Community Interest Company Inclusive Bytes brings together young tech students and volunteers who want to gain experience with Oldham residents who may feel less confident with technology.
By working side by side, the volunteers develop valuable social skills, while helping others build confidence in using the Internet and digital tools. The aim is to close the digital gap and make the online world feel less overwhelming for everyone.
Oldham Council has teamed up with Inclusive Bytes, as part of its commitment to make Oldham one of the most digitally inclusive towns in the UK, by working to increase the number of residents who can access digital services 15 minutes from home and empowering individuals and organisations to make better use of technology.
This summer, Inclusive Bytes has opened a community tech space in the Spindles shopping centre, with free workshops running throughout the school holidays including bridge building, 3D printing, pixel art and fuse beads, building your own traffic lights and Oobleck – a gooey substance that behaves like a liquid and a solid.
One family were shown how to get to grips with using a 3D pen after popping in while waiting to get a set of keys cut at the nearby branch of Timpson
Andy Powell found an effective way to lead people into his shop – by sending his Dalek friend Bob out into the Spindles, and he’s proven to be a big hit with shoppers whose jaws have dropped open at the sight of a human-sized robotic character trundling towards them.
Operated by remote control, Bob was a spur-of-the-moment eBay purchase by Andy, and Bob was fitted with a motor and wheels by the talented Inclusive Bytes team, who are aged 16 to 22.
“The looks on people’s faces have been priceless,” said Andy. “Some think it’s a person in a suit and ask ‘is it hot in there?’
We teach people everything from basic digital skills and getting online, to coding, gaming and virtual reality.
“We are making technology interesting and fun for children and adults, and at the same time our volunteers are learning soft skills.
“We have been showing some people their first digital skills, helping them to combat their fears or with something that excites them.
“When we explain to people that technology is a human creation it makes it less daunting for them.”
