Wyre Council recently joined forces with Torentum Primary Care Network to deliver a training course to enable residents to get online.
The course ran throughout February and into March at Thornton’s Medical Practice on Church Road, Thornton.
The course, delivered by Wyre Council’s Digital Web Officers covered a range of topics including emails, search engines, web browsers, social media, online banking and shopping, video calling and information on how to stay safe online.
Wyre Council is aware of the need for local communities to obtain skills and knowledge to access information and perform key tasks online, and help reduce social isolation through online engagement.
The training provided attendees with the confidence to use their technological devices easily and access the internet safely.
Malcolm Holroyd, a resident in Thornton who attended all five sessions said ‘I found the course really informative and useful. Plenty of time was spent with each attendee to ensure they got the help they needed. There was a lovely atmosphere and it was a great way to meet other people’.
Jo Carson, Social Prescriber Team Leader for Torentum Primary Care Network said ‘Our patients really benefitted from these sessions. They received invaluable advice on how to use their devices to reconnect and tackle problems they previously came across using these devices.
Wyre Council and Torerntum Primary Care Network plan to continue working together to deliver monthly drop-in sessions for residents who would benefit from support to use their devices and access the internet safely.
Councillor Lynne Bowen, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Health and Community Engagement at Wyre Council comments, “Our ambition is to help residents with their health and wellbeing. These sessions have supported residents to connect with friends and family online, access essential services and much more. I hope the sessions in Cleveleys will benefit many more people and encourage them to enhance their digital skills".
The monthly drop-in sessions will be held in the Community Room at Cleveleys Health Centre on Kelso Road on Thursday 14 April, Thursday 12 May and Thursday 23 June from 10am-12.30pm. The sessions are free and anyone who is struggling using their device to get online is encouraged to come along.