I’m the Digi-buddies Co-ordinator at Thames Reach. We’re working in partnership with Lambeth Council to deliver an innovative new IT peer support project to help local residents get online. Known as “Digi-buddies”, the scheme recruits volunteers with strong IT skills to support residents with online activities such as setting up email accounts, applying for jobs, using social networking sites, and buying goods and services.
Fighting social exclusion
By increasing awareness of the advantages of being online and providing an accessible platform for local citizens to engage with it, the project hopes to ensure that no one is excluded from using digital technology whether due to a lack of experience or skills.
Digi-buddies are already in action at local venues such as community centres and libraries across the borough. Sessions are run on a drop-in basis that are freely available to all.
According to Thames Reach, the project has had a big impact in the community in the short time that it has been running and it’s now looking for more volunteers to help Lambeth get connected.
Get in touch
Anyone interested in becoming a Digi-buddy and helping to improve digital literacy rates in the borough can apply online via the website at www.digitalskills.com/lambeth.
As a Digi-buddy you can expect to:
- Support learners with their digital needs in individual and group settings;
- Acquire valuable work experience;
- Have the opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills;
- Have access to related training courses within Thames Reach;
- Receive a work reference upon completion of your volunteer placement;
- Provide advice and support towards achieving targets and goals agreed with the learner.
Win an iPad
As a further incentive, applications received in July will be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad!
