Digital champions pass on their new skills

Apr 15 2010 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A TEACHING partnership designed to bring new technology into the lives of disadvantaged people plans to expand throughout the North East after being praised by a senior civil servant.

Cathy Francis from the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) has endorsed a Teesside University partnership with employment charity Shaw Trust, which provides community leaders with skills in digital technology to educate disabled and disadvantaged people. Mrs Francis, deputy director of multi-area agreements and city regions and digital inclusion at the CLG, saw the initiative in action during a recent visit.

She said: “I like the way the university is really engaging with the community and the partnership with Shaw Trust.

“The work done by the Digital Champions programme preparing people for the labour market.

“Plus, it’s community inspired.” Among those who met Cathy during her visit was Alf Hannaford, a former crane driver who is now active in the Middlesbrough town centre residents’ group TRICS.

He is project manager at the Union Street Neighbourhood Centre and plans to develop their existing courses in computers for beginners into more advanced digital activities, such as creating blogs.

He said: “Many older people are afraid of computers, but we’ve got people from the age of five to 82 taking part in our activities and helping each other learn and develop their digital skills.”

Elizabeth Shaw, who runs the scheme, is looking to expand the programme right across the North East.

She said: “A programme like Digital Champions empowers the groups at the very heart of our communities.

“The Digital Champions use digital technology and go back to their communities to deliver improved learning and digital participation within their own groups.”