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Grow IT! in Eden – Update - November 2011

As you are probably aware – Eden Rural Foyer launched a new IT awareness programme on the 1st April 2011.  Entitled Grow IT! in Eden– our aim is ensure digital inclusion and IT awareness is encouraged and developed throughout the Eden Valley.

This is a huge task– So what have we been upto?

Well, so far we have:-

Held over 50 events in Eden Foyer– Inviting members of the

public into the Foyer to our:-

  • Drop Ins
  • Taster sessions
  • Basic IT courses which include:  internet safety,

E-mailing, digital photography, skype, social networking, using MP3 players, and buying and selling on e-bay.

Held special events over the national ‘Get Online week’ including:

  • Quizzes
  • Coffee mornings & afternoons
  • Past and present IT users celebration
  • Digital champion celebration evening

Started our Outreach programme

Getting out into the Community was one of the main goals of the programme. We needed to take our excellent programme out to the audience we are trying to reach and we’ve done this in a number of ways, including:-

  • Attending Lowther Show in August.  By holding a trade stand to give advice and hand out leaflets to raise IT awareness and how they can access free help and guidance sessions at Eden Rural Foyer.
     
  • Advertising in the Local newspaper and local newsletters
     
  • Leaflet drops– getting into the Communities with information

To start and get into the actual Communities, we needed bases to work from.  By working in partnership with both the Library service, and the Kirkby Stephen Local Links Centre – we have so far delivered 3 sessions in the heart of Kirkby Stephen.These sessions were a resounding success, and we engaged over 20 people.  Comments from these sessions have included:-

“Your help was great and I hope most of it has sunk in!  If not I will be back – that’s a promise – thank you!”

“Very good and helpful service – can’t wait for next one!

“Excellent service, Excellent staff!  It has been most helpful – more needed soon!”

As you can see from the comments – these sessions have been well received and a valuable and much needed resource for the town.  We are hoping to continue these sessions in Kirkby Stephen after the New Year.
Our next sessions are scheduled for:-

  • Appleby
    Monday 28th November, from 2pm – 6pm at Appleby Library
     
  • Shap
    Monday 5th December, from 11am – 2pm at Shap Library

Everybody is welcome – so if you know someone that will benefit

from advice and guidance regarding any aspect of IT – please tell them

to come along!  All sessions are free of charge.

Digital Champions

We couldn’t have done all of this ourselves, however, and so want to say a big thank you!!to all our ‘Digital Champions’.  We have over 45 Digital Champions who help, advise, and contribute their time, skills and expertise to our program.  Without them – Grow IT! wouldn’t have been possible…..

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