Well, we didn’t expect this!
On Monday, we hosted our Digital Horizons event to launch our new Digital Hub in Orpington.
We’ve been working there since November and getting to know the community. We now run Digital Drop-Ins every Monday as well as regular workshops to help people be safer online or use their mobile phone better.
We have developed a wonderful relationship with the primary care network and local GP practices and recently registered the project with the Good Things Foundation so we can also add sim distribution and access to devices to the offer – so what better time for a party!
We lined up a range of speakers from the local council, trading standards, NHS, Digital Unite alongside our team members, invited local partners to come and mingle and meet with the community including Age UK Bromley & Greenwich, Bromley Mencap, SEL Mind, Bromley Well, Citizens Advice Bromley, Home Instead, Bromley Experts by Experience and the Rotary Orpington District E-Club.
Throw in some refreshments and a raffle for a donated smart phone and Chromebook (Thank you Good Things!) we expected around 35 but were cautiously nervous as, let’s face it, it wasn’t the best of weather.
At about 1.45 I was called to the front entrance to support a wheelchair user who couldn’t get through the front door and saw a long queue going right round the block.
Wowsers!
I’d been happy with 20 people to be honest but didn’t expect the 200 that showed. What an amazing turnout and a huge thank you to all involved, especially the Rotary Orpington District E-Club who miraculously fed and watered everyone and, most importantly, made them feel welcome.
We are still recovering from this, but it does demonstrate that our approach of combining digital connectivity with social connections, sharing problems or challenges and peer support is a way of bringing along those at the sharper end of Digital Exclusion and having meaningful fun along the way.
