Help to get Swansea residents online pays off

THE DIGITAL revolution in Swansea is racing ahead as people flock to get online with the help of a raft of free courses organised by Swansea Council.

The “Get Swansea Online” campaign has been designed to help the thousands of people in our city who aren’t online to be able to access the opportunities and information available on the internet.

Courses organised at four venues across the city are already almost booked out for April and May, but all residents can make Fridays their day to jump on the digital bandwagon as a series of ‘Digital Friday’ drop-in sessions get underway in libraries across the city.

There’s no need to book the Digital Fridays sessions as there’ll be a tutor available to help you with accessing info, downloading an app, or anything you want to ask about getting online.

Clive Lloyd, Cabinet Member for Transformation and Performance said: “Not being able to use the internet is already a major disadvantage in anything from accessing job opportunities, spending money on transport to public venues or from staying socially connected with friends and family who may live elsewhere.

“Technology has raced ahead and tablets, smartphones and laptops have radically altered the way every kind of business is conducted. But it isn’t complicated to use and we want these courses to take the fear out of getting online, as well as helping people progress once they have taken the plunge. We have an ambition to make Swansea Council a truly Digital organisation and Digital Fridays is a great example of this aspiration”

Cllr Lloyd continued:

“Although the April and May sessions are filling up, there will be many more sessions available in the coming months, while the Digital Friday library sessions are open to all.”

For dates and venues of the Digital Friday sessions go to: http://www.swansea.gov.uk/digitalfridays

The Get Swansea Online Courses are a step-by-step guide to getting online and offer all levels of support to meet the needs of people who come along.

They’ll run throughout the year at the Action Resource Centre in Portmead, Bryn House in Uplands, Clydach Library and Swansea Central Library. Each session lasts two hours, once a week for five weeks.

Have a look at www.getswanseaonline.co.uk or call 01792 470171 for more information.