Digital skills and support - Print version

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Face to face digital support

Two women looking at a laptop with covconnects logo

Digital support from Digital Champions 

Digital champions are friendly volunteers who can spend time one to one with our residents to help them use digital technology to improve their lives. Coventry’s Digital Champions are EnV City Hosts. They can help teach people a variety of skills such as, setting up an email account, registering for a service, how to use online searches and much more.  

Digital drop-ins in the community

Do you need support with basic digital skills, such as using a device for the first time, setting up an email, browsing the internet safely or accessing online services? 

Digital Skills Tutors run weekly informal drop-in sessions at different locations around Coventry. If you need support from a friendly and knowledgeable person, you can come along to any of the following drop-in sessions at any point during the 2 hour time slot:

  • WATCH Centre (Hillfields) - 12 Victoria Street, Coventry, CV1 5LZ - Every Monday, 10am - 12pm
  • Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre (Henley Green) - Winston Avenue, Coventry, CV2 1EA - Every Tuesday, 1pm – 3pm
  • Holbrooks Community Care Association (Holbrook) - 115 Holbrook Lane, Coventry, CV6 4DE - Every Friday, 1pm - 3pm

Please note the sessions do not run during school holidays and bank holidays.

Digital skills sessions with Age UK

The Gilbert Richards Centre hold Digital Skills Sessions every week, open to anyone hoping to learn some IT skills and socialise in a welcoming environment.

  • Tuesday 1pm - 3pm
  • Wednesday 1pm - 3pm
  • Thursday 10am - 12noon and 1pm - 3pm
  • Friday 10am - 12noon

The Gilbert Richards Centre's address is Broadway, Earlsdon, Coventry CV5 6NS.

Please contact 024 7667 2911 for more information if you would like to join.

Adult education

There is a wide range of free digital skills courses available across the city provided by our Adult Education Team. To browse the courses and sign up, access the Adult Education web page [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/adult-education] and choose ‘courses,’ then select ‘ICT’ from the drop-down menu.

For further information and support contact Adult Education on 024 7697 5200 or email: feedback@covaded.org [mailto:feedback@covaded.org]

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Barclays Digital Wings

The #CovConnects Team has worked in collaboration with Barclays Digital Eagles on an online learning platform - based on Barclay's free digital learning portal: Barclays Digital Wings - to help Coventry residents embrace the digital world.

Barclays Digital Wings can help you boost your skills and confidence with modules aligned to the Essential Digital Skills framework which defines the skills adults need to safely benefit from, participate in and contribute to the digital world.

Courses available on the platform cover a wide range of topics and start at a foundational level. Advanced courses are available for more digitally literate users. Learners can find modules on everything from connecting to Wi-Fi to applying for jobs online.

Head to the platform now to see what courses are on offer. [https://digital.wings.uk.barclays/register?code=COVCC]

#CovConnects

Online skills resources

There are a wealth of online skills resources covering a range of subjects that can support you whatever your skill level. We have suggested some trusted resources which you can access both at home, or via a public access PC in your area.

  • Learn My Way [https://www.learnmyway.com/] - A range of accessible digital courses supporting basic digital skills such as setting up an email address, managing your device, accessing public services and health services, and more.
  • Digital Unite [https://www.digitalunite.com/technology-guides] - A collection of 400+ digital guides across a wide range of subjects, including a selection of EasyRead guides.
  • Make It Click - More advanced digital skills courses building upon the Learn My Way basic digital skills provision.
  • Age UK [https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/work-learning/technology-internet/internet-security/] - A range of step-by-step guides including how to get started, staying safe online and how to use social media.
  • AbilityNet- My Computer My Way [https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk/] - AbilityNet empowers disabled and older people to access digital technology at home, in work and at school. In addition to many digital guides, ‘My Computer My Way’ provides individual step-by-step guides on how to adapt technology to meet individual needs.

Setting up a device 

There are various resources that can help you set up a device. 

#CovConnects

Staying safe online

There is a wealth of trusted online resources that can help you stay online safely, whether you are an individual, family or business.

If you want to get more from your home broadband in easy to understand language you can try the broadbandsavvy.com [https://broadbandsavvy.com/] website. The website includes a guide to show you how you can improve your internet speeds at home [https://broadbandsavvy.com/how-to-improve-internet-speed/].

Have you seen the Cyber Aware - National Cyber Security Centre [https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home] page and its link to a wizard/tool to get a cyber action plan?

Stay protected online with a Cyber Action Plan [https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/actionplan]

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