Digital Birmingham is a Birmingham City Council initiative and part of a city wide strategic partnership of more than 40 public, private and voluntary organisations
We have joined the 'Go On - Race Online 2012' campaign with the aim to signing up 2,012 digital champions that will help friends, relatives and colleagues to get online and improve their digital skills. Did you know that there are nearly 8.1 million people in the UK who've never been online and they're missing out on all the benefits the internet can bring. Taking the time to inspire, encourage and support someone, perhaps a family member, friend or colleague, to get online can transform their lives. It doesn't have to be time consuming either! |  |
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"Go ON, transform someone's life, share the wonders of the web"
Why the need to get online?
For individuals, 90% of new jobs require basic IT skills; many jobs are now only advertised online; the average household saves £560 a year from shopping and paying bills online.
For businesses, there is an opportunity to grow markets and reduce costs; in 2011, 66% of all adults purchased goods or services over the Internet and in the broadband industry for example, the over 55s market represents potential annual revenue of £643M.
What does a Digital Champions do?
- Inspire people who don't know about the benefits of the Internet to give it a try
- Point these people to free Internet training, or help them with an online course
- Help these people to get set up with IT, including telling them about accessibility features
- Donate spare IT equipment
What skills and personal qualities should a digital champion have?
Being a digital champion can be really easy and a great experience. It helps if you:
- Have basic computer skills (e.g. be able to turn a PC on, use a mouse, connect to the Internet)
- Are confident using the Internet and enthusiastic about the things that the Internet can do
- Can get to know people in order to understand their interests and motivations
- Have the patience to support people who are learning something new
- Are interested in working with other digital champions in your community.
What can digital champions do in my organisation?
You will have your own ideas, but here are some to start you off:
- Get to know your service users - actively find out who hasn't used the Internet before
- Familiarise themselves with <organisation name>'s online services - so that they can talk about them and show people how to use them
- Organise events/sessions to show people something they can do on the Internet e.g. searching on Google/Bing, getting the news, using price comparison sites, using i-player, or listening to music
- Help you to set up and run new projects services or activities to support people to develop or improve their digital skills
- Tell people about the local, low-cost Internet courses that are available - give them the number 0800 77 1234 or use the postcode search on www.go-on.co.uk/champions website to find out where your nearest local UK online centre or BBC First Click Centre is
- Tell people about the low cost first-timer packages (computer and connection)
If you'd like further information about becoming a Digital Champion or about the Go ON Birmingham campaign, please email digitalchampions@birmingham.gov.uk
or please visit www.go-on.co.uk/champions
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Like us: www.facebook.com/GoONBirmingham
