Programme to help get people online expands to Boscombe

A TWO-year programme to help people get online has been taken forward and expanded by a Boscombe private-sector enterprise.

The BCHA scheme has been expanded by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnerships Digital Skills Hub in Boscombe.

The hub will be based in Boscombe's Royal Arcade with the mission of addressing digital exclusion in its new 'digital discovery' programme.

The hub’s partnership and project lead, Kaoutar Addi, said: “Bournemouth Digital has been instrumental in helping many of our clients to develop their skills and move forward in their employment.

"Andy and his fellow tutors are incredibly knowledgeable, and patient and their delivery has been key to the courses’ success. So, when we learned that the programme was scheduled to end after two years, I took it to the LEP and told them we needed to keep it going – and they agreed.”

BCHA launched Bournemouth Digital in June 2022 with funding from the Good Things Foundation to help a third of all Dorset residents 'digitally excluded', including those without essential skills and 11 per cent who are completely offline.

Learner Robin Brierley said: “I have a phone and a laptop, but there was so much I didn’t know how to do before the course.

"Our tutor was incredibly helpful, and I now feel much more confident online. I even use my computer for money management.”

In the programme's 24 months, it engaged with 263 learners who have used five-week courses to learn basic computer functionality.

This includes how to use a keyboard and mouse, internet searching, sending emails and accessing online banking.

Bournemouth Digital co-ordinator, Andy Merchant, said: “Many people lack the confidence or the day-to-day computing skills necessary in our increasingly digital society, but Bournemouth Digital has helped hundreds to acquire that confidence.

“It’s been incredibly encouraging for everyone on the team to see the doors the programme has opened for people and to hear their amazing feedback."

For those wishing to find out more about the Digital Discovery beginners and intermediate computer course, please drop into the Digital Skills Hub, Boscombe or email bchalearn@bcha.org.uk