Engagement is Key!

Engagement is Key!

Jul 23, 2023

When we were starting out, someone once said to me that older people weren’t interested in technology, well I’m glad I didnt listen!

The pictures you see are but 2 of 16 different sessions we ran last week – a quiet week as we are already seeing people starting to peel off before the Summer.

Our programme consists of a range of Digital Drops-Ins, Workshops, Online Services Support, Community Learning courses and our online Digital Awareness social group. We also provide critical support in the home and dedicated work with disabled residents and others with access needs.

We directly helped over 500 local residents on 2022, across a mere 5 square miles in South London. Its only July and we have already exceeded this figure demonstrating both the need and the role the voluntary sector already plays in this area.

This is no surprise to us working on the ground but to broker trust, build confidence and provide access to services to the communities least able to or furthest away then you have to go out there.

Our work demonstrates, over and above anything else, that engagement is key and with engagement you can spark motivation and build confidence.

When reading reports such as the recent one written by the Communications and Digital Committee on digital exclusion and the findings from GetOnLineLondon and in Greater Manchester we must remember that an equal component in change is from within ourselves – and for that we must have a reason to engage, to learn and we must build upon quick wins we can do for ourselves.

If we feel coerced or that all this digital stuff is for someone else’s benefit or cost savings its no surprise there is resistance. When ‘technologies’ such as Test and Trace or the Emergency Alert are rolled out with poor communication or do not work its even harder to bridge this gap.

If people are ‘going digital’ for the first time at the point if crisis it should be no surprise that passwords get lost, vouchers are not claimed or that claim appeals go in late to the DWP.

The community building and outreach work we do is so crucial is helping to understand places, space and people, from here we have fighting chance of helping change happen.

Draw upon the specialism of the voluntary sector to deepen digital inclusion

Draw upon the specialism of the voluntary sector to deepen digital inclusion

Jul 19, 2023

Schemes such as #GetOnlineLondon are a great resource to draw on if they can make access to devices easier and keep awareness in the public eye. However. it decorates a mere wall within the House of Digital Inclusion.

The work of the VCS on the ground, brokering the relationships, building trust and delivering when other projects come to an end (and the shiny tinsel falls from the tree) must both be recognised for the tireless energy piecing things together and, importantly, for the insight gained during and post lockdown.

The rich pool of specialism they provide should be informing the next phase of any London-wide (if not nation-wide) resource or asset. Our experience of working with ‘Big Name’ organizations during lockdown was often one of incomplete delivery and difficult processes.

The stories of donations were great but often the cost of these (in terms of the operation, the setting up and the sending back of items) was higher than if we can funded the data and devices ourselves.

Lessons had to be learned and continue so.

For me it’s a missed opportunity that the VCS leaders throughout COVID in London are not instrumental in the set up, and distribution side of Get Online London. The insights gained by organizations such as Community Tech Aid, CatBytes and Power2Connect could and should be harnessed to make the acquisition, set up and distribution of devices effective and hyper-locally relevant.

These are the types of organization that will fulfil referrals or set up an inappropriate device when the larger schemes can deliver on the ground.

Speak to organizations such as Millennium about how to ignite hordes of younger people hungry to learn coding and inspire the generations moving forward and to learn from hyper specialists such as Paul Clayton and Alex Barker about assistive technology, appropriate device set up and independence for disabled residents.

This is not a grumble, but just a reminder to everyone that there isn’t an end point here, we must and can learn, share and develop from each other – but to do so we must do so!

Have you seen our new Impact Videos?

Have you seen our new Impact Videos?

Jul 19, 2023

We were shadowed for 2 days by The Good Things Foundation; creating footage as part of their Get Online London scheme with LOTI.

A pleasure to be asked, but even more so to see and hear the wonderful stories from the people we work with and the volunteers on the ground.

In 2022, we directly worked with over 500 people across our various programmes. This is within a 5 square mile area of London.

A true testimony to the team making this happen but a clear demonstration of the demand as we have exceeded these figures already for 2023.

We are already pivoting and transforming our delivery to meet this demand, which is both tough and rewarding

How to support ClearCommunityWeb help more people with technology

How to support ClearCommunityWeb help more people with technology

May 24, 2023

ClearCommunityWeb help people feel more confident and comfortable with technology through classes, workshops and individual support.

We run 8 weekly drop-in sessions across South London as well as Mobile Phone Boot Camps and a full Community Learning programme.

We also assist in helping people access online services via a network of Community Hubs across the Borough to help with the Cost of Living Crisis as well as providing access to donated devices.

Finally, we also provide home support to residents referred by local charities and services as well as providing assistance to disabled people and carers.

We worked with over 500 people in 2022 with a small term of staff and wonderful volunteers.

We often get asked how people can get involved or help, and there are 3 simple ways.

  • Participate in the Croydon Community Lottery. 60% of the process go directly to us an other voluntary services s in Croydon. You get a chance to own £25,000 each week
  • Volunteer with us. We are always looking for people to help within our drop-ins or our community learning programme. Its a great way to develop people and technical skills.
  • Donate to us directly, either via our Kindlink donation page or by considering us with your donated tech if you are upgrading or clearing out your office

Such brilliant ways to help us reach more people and improve lives

Disability & Technology Advice (D.A.T.A) launches in Lambeth

Disability & Technology Advice (D.A.T.A) launches in Lambeth

May 22, 2023

Disability & Technology Advice (D.A.T.A.) is an exciting new partnership between Millennium Community Solutions and ClearCommunityWeb to support disabled residents, carers and others with access needs with digital technology.

Through a programme of drop-in’s, courses, workshops and home support; D.A.T.A will also help to develop routes to employment and independence by providing routes to assistive technology, building skills & confidence and community-based learning.

D.A.T.A will also seek to inspire with new technologies and skills including VR, AI and opportunities to learn coding and multi-media.

This programme launches throughout Lambeth in May 2023 and extends into Croydon June/ July 2023.

Weekly Drop-ins

Our Disability & Technology Advice (D.A.T.A.) Drop-Ins provide friendly digital support for disabled residents, carers & neurodiverse adults.

They are a safe space for you to come and get advice or information on how to set up or use a device in a way that is right for you.

We can help assess your needs, provide access to the right device and offer support to set goals for personal learning.

Or come along to practice is a supportive environment and build your own skills and confidence.

The sessions are free and there is no need to book.

Where

Every Wednesday 10-1

Akerman Health Centre, 60 Patmos Road, London, SW9 6AF

Bus routes: P5 or 36,185,436 (Vassall Road)

Further information

Contact: 07523 646 277 or info@clearcommunityweb.co.uk.

What do we mean by Disabled residents?

When we refer to “Disabled Residents” we refer to people with physical or sensory impairments, neurodiversity, mental health survivors, people with learning difficulties or learning disabilities and people with long term health conditions.

We include people who may face other access issues to traditional support available.

About Millennium Community Solutions

Millennium Community Solutions works to ensure people living with disabilities in Lambeth and neighbouring boroughs are valued as the important contributors to society they are. Central to this is the right of people living with disability to have equal access to training and technology to support day-to-day life, employment and social connectivity alongside dignity and respect for their individual circumstances and needs.

Contact: Rev Gail Thompson gail@millenniumcommunitysolutions.com

About ClearCommunityWeb

ClearCommunityWeb provides digital skill training, advice and critical support services to community groups, older people, vulnerable adults and carers across South London.

They worked with over 500 residents throughout 2022. Through their person centred approach they put the residents ahead of the technology and find the right fit.

Contact: Caspar Kennerdale caspar@clearcommunityweb.co.uk