We begin the new year with a new lockdown and hopefully this will be a positive turning point towards a safe vaccination roll out and getting control of COVID 19.

We wanted to explain the new measures we have put in place to ensure we can continue our support as well as news on how we will modify our planned programme for the first part of this year.

Community Tech Support

In Tier 5 we are not able to make house visits until this situation changes.

We can meet on your doorstep (with safety measures in place) if it is a quick fix.

We continue to work remotely and can help with issues using a secure Remote Desktop Support Software – AnyDesk.

We are, of course, still available by email, zoom and phone.

We can help with technical problems, we can provide some advice as well as helping you access account or setting up emails.

If you have an enquiry and need to contact our support please visit this page

All of our updated safety measure can be found here

New Classes

We had intended on starting our 2 new ‘in person’ classes at the end of January.

• Digital Horizons – Introduction to using a tablet and the internet
• Laptop Self Care – Understanding and looking after your own computer

We are currently modifying the course content so we can deliver these online.

They will be 8 week courses and we will be announcing 2 sets of dates for each.

Watch this space!

Digital Awareness for Older People

Our Digital Awareness for Older People class has resumed – with an amazing turnout for the first week.

The class is designed to give group support to people wanting to develop their digital skills, feel safer online and have fun!

Every week we cover a different topic, combining practical skills with fun sharing activities and demonstrations as a way to become more confident using the internet and devices.

All abilities are welcome and no question is too basic Our hands-on approach gives you the opportunity to try, make mistakes and learn as a group.

Classes are FREE and take place every Tuesday at 11am on Zoom.

If you want to join then please fill in the registration for here.

She works across a variety of areas – from delivering our Digital Horizons programme, working 1 to 1 with vulnerable residents and managing partnership projects – always with a smile.

“It is really exciting to see programmes come together. When we started Digital Horizons, it was just an idea.

Now we are coming to the end of the 12 week programme, it’s been really rewarding to see the positive impact it has had – seeing how much peoples digital skills have developed and how much their confidence has grown has been amazing!”

Georgina has a BA in Photography and has co-facilitated workshops at charities working with refugees. Previously, she lived in Nepal where she started a social enterprise that provided training and work opportunities to local photographers.

“When technology feels so familiar, its easy to think its easy, but it really isn’t! There are so many barriers that individuals face, and so many options available that it can feel quite overwhelming.

I have learnt the importance of approaching each case individually, spending that extra time listening and responding to those individual needs.

Although it can take a while, when you support someone to get on to an exercise class on Zoom or YouTube to listen to their favourite music you know its been worth it!”

Georgina’s real skill is keeping our lessons clear and easy to understand for learners and making them feel at home.

THANK YOU!!!

As winter is drawing in, we wanted to introduce you to the team working hard behind the scenes at ClearCommunityWeb.

More importantly, we want to celebrate the work they do and their contribution to our community.

So first up is … SUE GAUGE

After 14 years in the Ministry of Justice, Sue initially joined ClearCommunityWeb as a volunteer; helping with the Digital Skills for Seniors classes at the Upper Norwood Library Hub.

She now leads our Digital Awareness for Older People program; a virtual class helping people to build confidence and encouraging them to ‘have a go’!

Under her stewardship the class has doubled in six months. We all learn new things and get a chance to ask the questions we can’t ask elsewhere.

“It’s really opened my eyes to how incredibly hard it is to use a smartphone if you’ve never used anything other than a landline. Most people take all this digital stuff for granted, yet to the people in our class it’s like a foreign language. It’s a pleasure to give them some idea about what it all means so they can be confident enough to give it a go.”

Sue is a real asset and a supportive help!

THANK YOU!!!