Tea & Tech: Salford joins forces to deliver digital training

A series of free drop-in sessions will take place this summer across Salford to help residents get to grips with the online world.

Housing association Salix Homes is teaming up with Salford Council’s Digital Together campaign, City West Housing Trust, Pendleton Together and digital training initiative Go On Salford, to deliver six “Tea & Tech” sessions, aimed at people who want to learn and boost their IT and online skills.

The events are also designed to tackle digital exclusion in the city.

The informal sessions will help with things like online bank accounts, paying bills online and managing benefits, such as Universal Credit.

The “Tea & Tech” sessions will take place on:

• Tuesday, 21 June – St Sebastian’s Community Centre, Douglas Green, Charlestown, M6 6ES
• Tuesday, 28 June – Broughton Hub, 50 Rigby Street, Broughton, M7 4BQ
• Monday, 11 July – Pendleton Gateway, 1 Boardwalk, Pendleton, M6 5FX
• Wednesday, 13 July – Swinton Gateway, 100 Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 6BP
• Tuesday. 19 July – Walkden Gateway, 2 Smith Street, Walkden, M28 3EZ
• Wednesday, 20 July – Eccles Gateway, 28 Barton Lane, Eccles, M30 0TU

All sessionstake place from 1pm to 3pm.

Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “We recognise the massive difference that online and digital skills can make for people, whether it is helping our residents access vital services, save money or find work.

“We are also seeing more and more services accessible by only going online, so it is vitally important to support those who want to build up their computing confidence.

“Knowing how to do everyday things online could also save families hundreds of pounds a year.

“Last year, we piloted the Tea & Tech course, towards elderly and vulnerable residents – and it was a great success with many delighted at the skills they learnt from the sessions, plus it improved their social lives.

“As a housing association, we’re ideally placed in the heart of our communities to provide such support – and I’d urge anyone wanting to improve their skills to come along to the sessions.”

There’s no need to book to attend any of the sessions. Just turn up and lots of tea and expert help will be provided.

Salix Homes has commissioned charitable organisation Inspiring Communities Together to deliver a programme of IT sessions later in the year. If you’re interested in finding out more about these sessions, come down to one of the Tea & Tech sessions, or contact Jackie Crook on 0161 779 8966 or email Jackie.crook@salixhomes.org