We have been working in partnership with Shree Mandhata Samaj to deliver digital skills sessions to members at their community centre in Foleshill.
Shree Mandhata Samaj started their digital inclusion journey by supporting members to become more confident in using their smartphones. Members expressed that they were interested in learning more about the digital world.
The centre became a #CovConnects partner following a successful application to the #CovConnects Device Bank in August 2023. They then received a number of digital devices to aid in their digital inclusion activities.
Shree Mandhata Samaj began their own weekly digital skills session at their community centre where members were able to learn valuable digital skills such as using a digital device for the first time, sending emails, and staying safe online.
The sessions have been supported by friendly EnV Digital Champions and volunteers through the Virgin Media O2 Business Connect More Programme.
Shree Mandhata Samaj hope to hold more structured digital skills sessions at their center in the new year, with the help of Coventry Adult Education Service.
A spokesperson for Shree Mandhata Samaj told us:“We at Mandhata Samaj Community Centre have been very pleased with our journey in helping and supporting our community members in becoming digitally included with great support from #Covconnects, the devices provided have been very useful to enable them to learn the necessary skills to perform simple tasks like email, booking hospital appointments etc., which are very often taken for granted by the wider community and the younger generation.
"The community members are very much willing to learn and have accepted that this is a digital world and to be able to progress and live in Society the digital learning is only going to benefit them tremendously. Thank you to the #Covconnects team and respective volunteers for their continued help and support. This is much appreciated.”
Raphaella Gordon-Saker, Digital Inclusion Programme Manager at Virgin Media O2 Business, said: “Through our Connect More Programme, an initiative that aims to build digital skills and confidence within local communities across the nation, we’ve been working closely with Coventry City Council to provide volunteer support at their #CovConnects sessions.
"At recent sessions with Shree Mandhata Samaj, our employee volunteers helped attendees with everyday digital tasks that were meaningful to their lives, like accessing the NHS app. We’re looking forward to seeing how our Connect More Programme can further support residents to develop the skills and confidence they need to navigate our increasingly digital world.”
Learn more about face-to-face digital support in Coventry [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cov-connects/digital-skills-support]
To find out more about the sessions we spoke to Mr Patel who attends the sessions. Listen to what he had to say.