Council’s £20 million Investment Fund is helping charity to deliver ‘vital’ digital skills
East Lindsey District Council’s £20 million Investment Fund is helping charity to deliver ‘vital’ digital skills in free drop-in sessions
Staff at a Horncastle charity – which helps people to develop their digital skills - say funding from the East Lindsey District Council’s Investment Fund is ‘vital’ in supporting their work through free drop-in sessions.
Lincs Digital promotes community learning at venues across East Lindsey and offers free digital training and support to adults.
The council has set aside £20 million of its own funds for the Investment Fund to improve life for people who live, work, visit and invest in the district.
The Investment Fund is supporting a range of organisations across East Lindsey and has awarded a grant to Lincs Digital to enable the team to offer regular, free drop-in sessions across the district, like the one held at the Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe.
Lincs Digital tutor, Rich, and volunteer Tony are familiar, friendly faces at the sessions, helping residents to get online and get up to speed on digital issues.
Queries can vary from assisting a resident to apply for a job or a bus pass, access an online medical appointment or getting advice to avoid online scams.
One woman, who asked to remain anonymous, attends the regular sessions at Mablethorpe as she does not have her own computer or smartphone.
She described Lincs Digital as a ‘lifeline’: “They have helped me with my phones. If I have a problem I always come to Rich and Tony – as soon as I walk in and see them there, I know they are here to help me, and I feel comfortable talking to them about everything. I do not know anywhere else I could have gone.”
The charity stresses that the ability to use digital devices and access online services are an important part of everyday life and it wants to ensure residents in Lincolnshire are not left behind.
Tutor, Rich, said: “The East Lindsey Investment Fund gives Lincs Digital the facility to bring the support to the people to do what they need to do. It is vital, and without the Investment Fund, it would not happen. We are here for everyone – from 18-year-olds to older, retired people across East Lindsey.”
Coun Sarah Devereux, Portfolio Holder for Partnerships, said: “The work being delivered by the Lincs Digital team is helping to improve lives across our communities, giving people the confidence and skills they need to get online, stay connected, and access essential services that many of us take for granted.
“It’s been fantastic to see such positive feedback from residents, and I’m really proud that through the East Lindsey Investment Fund, we are able to support something that is making such a meaningful difference to people day to day.”