Getting Started Guide: Notifications - Businesses and Institutions
Getting Hertfordshire online - how businesses can help
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Supporting people in Hertfordshire to get online: How businesses can help Hertfordshire County Council is committed to supporting more people to get online. With more and more services going digital, it is important that people who are ‘offline’ or who lack basic online skills are helped so they can enjoy the benefits the internet can bring. Research suggests that the people most likely to be offline – older people, people with disabilities, people who live in social housing – are often the people who would benefit most from being online. A few of the many benefits of being online include the chance to: Save money: the best deals on products and services are often found online Stay in touch: with friends and relatives via email and Skype Develop hobbies and interests: watch films, learn a language, trace your family history Access information: on staying healthy, local opportunities, finding work Access services: public services, internet shopping, online banking The main way HCC support people to get online is through our libraries, which offer: Free-wifi for customers and free or cheap access to a computer and the internet Computer taster sessions, try-before-you-buy events and IT Champion volunteers We know that a number of organisations and groups – from multinational companies to charities, community centres and colleges – are also involved in helping to close the digital divide. However, there remains huge potential for businesses to get involved and help Hertfordshire’s offline residents. How can you get involved? Enable and encourage your staff to become Digital Champions Digital Champions help explain how using the internet can benefit people and show them how to get started. Companies such as BT and EE already run digital champion programmes. Your staff can volunteer with a range of existing classes or schemes (for example, in libraries, community centres, Age UK Hertfordshire). A free online course for digital champions is available at: http://ukonlinecentres.learningpool.com/course/ Offer basic digital skills training to your staff Find out if any of your staff struggle using the internet and help them improve their confidence. A range of courses and guides are available online, for example BBC Webwise
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Guide on ways in which employers and employees can get involved in helping bridge the Digital Divide
Transcript of Getting Hertfordshire online - how businesses can help
Supporting people in Hertfordshire to get online:
How businesses can help
Hertfordshire County Council is committed to supporting more people to get online. With moreand more services going digital, it is important that people who are ‘offline’ or who lack basiconline skills are helped so they can enjoy the benefits the internet can bring.
Research suggests that the people most likely to be offline – older people, people withdisabilities, people who live in social housing – are often the people who would benefitmost from being online. A few of the many benefits of being online include the chance to:
Save money: the best deals on products and services are often found online
Stay in touch: with friends and relatives via email and Skype
Develop hobbies and interests: watch films, learn a language, trace your family history
Access information: on staying healthy, local opportunities, finding work
Access services: public services, internet shopping, online banking
The main way HCC support people to get online is through our libraries, which offer:
Free-wifi for customers and free or cheap access to a computer and the internet
Computer taster sessions, try-before-you-buy events and IT Champion volunteers
We know that a number of organisations and groups – frommultinational companies to charities, community centres andcolleges – are also involved in helping to close the digital divide.
However, there remains huge potential for businesses to getinvolved and help Hertfordshire’s offline residents.
How can you get involved?
Enable and encourage your staff to become Digital ChampionsDigital Champions help explain how using the internet can benefit people and show them howto get started. Companies such as BT and EE already run digital champion programmes. Yourstaff can volunteer with a range of existing classes or schemes (for example, in libraries,community centres, Age UK Hertfordshire). A free online course for digital champions isavailable at: http://ukonlinecentres.learningpool.com/course/
Offer basic digital skills training to your staffFind out if any of your staff struggle using the internet and help them improve theirconfidence. A range of courses and guides are available online, for example BBC Webwise
Put on an event for ‘Spring Online’ week (31 March to 4 April) – a nationalcampaign to encourage older people to start using the internetFurther details, information and resources – including sample communications,activities and handouts – are available on the Digital Unite website
Show people how to access your online servicesSome supermarkets go to sheltered housing schemes, day centres and other communitygroups to show them how to shop online
Why get involved?
What are the benefits of getting involved in building Hertfordshire’s digital skills?
Helps to meet corporate and social responsibility
Opportunity to develop your community engagement
You will improve the skills of your staff
If you have an online presence it is also good business, as it will also increase the number ofpeople who can access your online services.
Interested?
If you are interested in getting involved and would like more information on where to start,please contact Matthew Peirce on [email protected] or 01992 555885.
