More people getting online with expert help

The first Digital Fridays got started in April this year. They have given people skills and confidence in a range of areas, from sending emails to guarding their PCs and tablets against viruses and setting up Windows 10.

The Digital Friday sessions and the structured Get Swansea Online courses are part of Swansea Council’s drive to increase the number of people who can access the benefits of being online.

Gwen Davies, who’s 53, has been attending the free Digital Friday sessions along with the Council’s Get Swansea Online courses at Townhill and Central Libraries. She said she knew taking the opportunity to learn digital skills would help her with her future employment.

“It’s part of the modern age,” Gwen said. “You just have to do it. You can’t just be dependent on people.

“The tutors, Tim and Jo, are great and I’m really getting the hang of word processing and emailing.”

Cllr Clive Lloyd, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Transformation and Performance, said: “It’s great that people like Gwen are taking the opportunity to get help to get online.

“We’re determined to reduce the number of people who are digitally excluded in our city, which impacts on their access to jobs and other services.

“Anyone can come along, whatever your ability and whatever you would like help with.”

The next round of Digital Fridays, starting on Friday September 25, will run for eight weeks. They’ll be taking place in Fforestfach and St Thomas libraries from 10am until noon each Friday, and at Penlan and Brynhyfryd libraries from 1pm until 3pm.

Have a look at www.swansea.gov.uk/digitalfridays for more information.