A project aimed at bridging the digital divide and supporting residents through improved access to digital resources is inviting residents to attend its community drop-in events.
Neath Port Talbot Council’s Digital Inclusion and Enablement Project focuses on reducing digital inequality for disadvantaged groups. By increasing access to digital technologies, the project aims to enhance daily living, support ageing well, and enable digitally excluded residents to access essential services.
The project offers support in two ways:
Digital Drop-in Sessions: Digital Inclusion Officers hold regular drop-in sessions at various community venues across Neath Port Talbot, providing free support to anyone wanting to improve their digital skills. This could include help with things such as searching the internet, staying safe online, setting up social media accounts, accessing public services, how to use your digital devices, downloading apps, and lots more.
Digital Home Visits: For those unable to attend community venues due to health or mobility reasons, the Digital Enablement Team offers specialised support to people in their own home. From remotely operating household appliances to improving safety and security, mainstream smart technology can support independent living at home. It can be daunting to know here to start, and the team can make this easier by providing tailored assistance to meet a person’s needs. The team also offer ‘guided tours’ of the Digital Solutions Suite at Cimla for residents and staff to provide hands-on experience of how mainstream smart technology can meet individual needs.
The community Digital Drop-in sessions are available at:
Mondays
Cwmafan Library, 2pm to 4pm
Pontardawe Library, 2pm to 4pm
Tuesdays
Sandfields Library, 10am to 12pm
Cymer Afan Library, 2pm to 4pm
Neath Library, 2pm to 4pm
Wednesdays
Neath YMCA, 10am to 12pm
Bryn Community Centre, 2pm to 4pm
Port Talbot Opportunity Hub, 2pm to 4pm
Thursdays
Port Talbot Library, 10am to 12pm
Baglan Library, 2pm to 4pm
Port Talbot Work Station, 2pm to 4pm
Fridays
Glynneath Library, 10am to 12pm
Skewen Library, 10am to 12pm
Councillor Jo Hale, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services & Health, said: ” The Digital Inclusion and Enablement Project is an innovative initiative which represents our commitment to ensuring that technology becomes a useful tool for independence.
“This initiative emphasises our dedication to building an inclusive community where everyone can thrive in the digital age.
“We want to make a distinctive change in Neath Port Talbot to ensure no one is left behind and I would encourage anyone who is interested in developing their digital skills to contact the team.”
For more information about the Digital Drop-in sessions, email [email protected] or contact Krystal on 07967273571
To find out more about the Digital Enablement Team or request a home visit, email: [email protected] or Phone: 01639 686636
The project is available in Neath Port Talbot until December 2024.
