New course launched – Digital Volunteer Toolkit

New course launched – Digital Volunteer Toolkit

ClearCommunityWeb have partnered with the West London Mission to deliver a new training course designed for volunteers looking to support people digitally – The Digital Volunteer Toolkit.

Over four 2hr sessions each cohort will explore the barriers people may have to technology, develop an approach to supporting people both in person and remotely and learn through examples and role-playing.

There will be 2 cohorts in July and will be free for Lambeth residents or those working for Lambeth based organizations.

This course is suitable for both staff and volunteers.

You don’t need to be an IT expert, just have an everyday knowledge of using the internet, email and things like Zoom. It’s more important that you are patient and happy to try and work out problems alongside people.

Cohort 1
Mon 5 July, Wed 7 July, Mon 12 July & Wed 14 July 2021
10am-12 noon

Cohort 2
Mon 19 July, Wed 21 July, Mon 26 July & Wed 28 July
2pm-4pm

Cohort 3
Tues July 27th, Thurs 29th July
1pm-4pm

To find out more or book please contact Abel on:
Tel: 07903 629544
Email: abel.solomon@wlm.org.uk

Community Tech Spring Cleaning …. The story so far

Community Tech Spring Cleaning …. The story so far

The story after only 7 days! The figures speak for themselves.

We have reclaimed the following from local cupboards, sheds and underneath beds collecting dust.

27 Laptops
8 Towers
13 Tablets
1 Printer
1 Set of Speakers
23 Phones
5 Monitors
3 Hard Drives
5 Keyboards
1 Xbox

AND …….

A Pink Umbrella

We will repurpose, upcycle and strip for parts for local residents in need. We work with #KeepCroydonConnected and #CommunityTechAid across a wider area and what cant be used or monetized is ethically recycled.

All hard drives and devices are wiped

SO ….

If you have an old laptop, phone, computer or monitor going spare, then we are collecting and refurbishing tech for local residents in need.

We mainly help older people, vulnerable adults, carers and young families.

What might be old, slow or redundant to you can be put to good use!

Civic Challenge helps to create a learning journal

Civic Challenge helps to create a learning journal

The team have been busy bees!

We have been working alongside Kings College Students to test the viability of a learning journal to help people learn digital skills more easily, retain important information and be safer online.

Early workshops have been successful, and we see this as a vital tool for all our learners and the community partners we work with.

When learning something new, it’s vital to build confidence at your own pace with resources you are familiar with – so telling someone unused to technology to ‘Go Google It’ simply wont cut the mustard.

It will be designed specifically, with older people in mind, those living with dyslexia as well as learning difficulties BUT its clear and simple layout will be useful for all

So help us product test, print and distribute a learning journal to help older people learn better about digital technology and vote for ClearCommunityWeb in the Kings College Civic Challenge.

http://bit.ly/civic-challenge

Today is a special day

Today is a special day

A year ago in the face of lockdown we took a gamble which paid off.

We moved a small class of older people, unsure about how to use their computers, into the online Zoom world, providing a weekly opportunity to socialise, learn more about their laptops, tablets & mobile phones; building confidence as we went along.

We’ve demonstrated Test & Trace, using maps, sharing via WhatsApp and how to use iPlayer.

We’ve learnt about each other and the subject we cover all come from the learners themselves

Underlying all of this is learning to be safer online and helping each other.

So today is our birthday, so where are we?

We’ve conducted 42 classes, with 51 different learners popping in: a total of 442 attendances.

We are chaperoned around the internet by our tireless and very friendly Sue Gauge and we now have two volunteers from the class who help researching subjects and crowd control within the class – Thank you David and Eulalee.

We’ve had a learner as far afield as Beverly in Yorkshire and an enquiry from New York. Not bad for a “local” organization.

This class could never have been possible without the support of the Upper Norwood Library, but also, Crystal Palace Community Trust, Age UK Croydon, Croydon BME Forum, LinkAge Southwark & Age UK Lambeth.

More importantly this could never have been possible without our regulars who turn up, unmute, raise hands and join in. THANK YOU

So what next?

Well, that would be telling…

Today though is about eating cakes and awards- so ask me tomorrow

Help us on our mission to tackle digital exclusion?

Help us on our mission to tackle digital exclusion?

We are recruiting for two exciting new volunteer roles to help in our mission in tackling digital exclusion.

Firstly, we are looking for a creative and enthusiastic person to help us out with our social media.

We’re looking for someone to help us expand our audience, celebrate the work we have been doing and maintain our voice in the community.

We want to be better organized, plan ahead and think strategically. This could suit an experienced person looking to help out on a short-term basis to steer us in the right direction or to work with us longer term and gain experience in this sector.

Social Media Volunteer Role description

Application form

Secondly, we are looking for a maintenance and support volunteer to help set up laptops & tablets as part of a new loan program in partnership with the Upper Norwood Library Hub.

This program is to be launched in April and we will need the assistance in that first week to set them up, create an asset register and help with testing.

Knowledge of Windows 10 is essential but would suit someone who also wants to learn. Knowledge of IOS and Android desirable.

This is initially a short term project, but there will be an opportunity continue and provide support to the overall programme.

Maintenance and Support Volunteer Role Description

Application Form

Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to get more involved with your community, to get stuck in with a small community social enterprise which helps older, vulnerable people in the community develop digital skills and resources to combat isolation and access services.

We want you to get something out of it too – by building skills, experience, helping you to get to know your community better, or to keep you engaged and motivated through positive action during these uncertain times.

Deadline for applications is 5pm Friday 26th March