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Tackling the digital divide has never been so important during this cost-of-living crisis. Not being online means being cut off from basic activities most take for granted, such as accessing job adverts, finding local online cost of living support, essential health information and using digitised public services.
Free tech sessions to help tackle this are taking place at:
- Abbots Leigh – Village Hall, Church Road. 10am-noon on Wednesday 30 November. Booking essential. Contact Tina on 07502 641 805.
- Long Ashton – Long Ashton Community Centre every other Tuesday 10-12pm. Email info@latogether.org for more info
- Nailsea – Nailsea Library on Tuesday afternoons and No. 65 High Street most Thursday and Friday mornings
- Portishead - Portishead Library Tuesdays 10am-1pm (alternate weeks)
- Weston-super-Mare - North Somerset Training Hub, Alexandra Parade. 2-4pm on Tuesday 22 November. Booking essential. Contact Steve on 07773 107 813
- Weston-super-Mare - Weston Library, Tuesday 10am-12, Thursday 10-4, Friday 2-4
- Weston-super-Mare - For All Healthy Living Centre Library, Wednesday 10.30am-12.30pm
Cllr Catherine Gibbons, Executive Member for Children, Young People, Lifelong Learning and Skills at North Somerset Council said: “These sessions are a great opportunity as not being online during the current cost of living crisis means you won’t easily be able to shop around for the best deal, access helpful and local cost of living advice on the North Somerset Council website or contact key organisations for the latest online support. We want to narrow the digital divide and help everyone feel more confident accessing online services and finding the right information to help them through these challenging times. Free technical learning sessions are taking place across North Somerset so sign up to a session or pop into your local library for more advice.”
Libraries can help anyone wishing to increase their digital knowledge. Computers are available in libraries as well as free Wi-Fi for anyone bringing their own device. Staff can help you access the Internet as well as use printing/scanning facilities. Click here for more information:
Residents facing digital exclusion through not being able to afford sim cards and mobile data can also access them for free thanks to a scheme available through North Somerset Council's library service.
The UK National Databank provides free sims and mobile data (as well as talk minutes and texts) to people in need through the Good Things Foundation’s network of local community partners, including North Somerset libraries. It’s like a food bank but for internet connectivity data.
Anyone over 18 from a low-income household who qualifies in at least one of the following ways can obtain data vouchers from their local library:
- Has no access or insufficient access to the internet at home, and/or
- has no or insufficient access to the internet when away from home, and/or
- can’t afford their existing monthly contract or top-up.
Residents who need a data voucher should contact their local library to make an appointment to collect it. For details of North Somerset libraries visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/libraries, email libraries@n-somerset.gov.uk or telephone 01934 426 834
For a round-up of advice and guidance about the cost-of-living crisis, visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/col. It includes local help and support with childcare costs, housing, and energy and heating advice.
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