New Ash Green Outreach funding renewed by Sevenoaks District Council
Access to digital support is a key component in ensuring that vulnerable people in our community can become more digitally confident and independent. Our Outreach Team has been making that possible for the residents of New Ash Green for over 6 months now, and thanks to renewed funding from Sevenoaks District Council, we can continue to do so through to the new year!
Today, we’ll be hearing more from our team about the importance of this service to their community.
Meet Nicole, our Outreach Digital Skills Trainer
“Hello! My name is Nicole, and my role is to help people with their digital devices in New Ash Green. I work with people on a one-to-one basis and we cover the topics they want help with, from understanding how to use their phones, tablets, and laptops, to learning about the internet, or solving an issue they have with technology.
What It’s Like Working as an Outreach Trainer
“The community in New Ash Green is wonderful and everyone is so friendly. When I arrive, the residents who need help put their names down, and I make my way to each person. It’s lovely help people in a relax atmosphere with a cup of coffee.
“I believe they also enjoy the fact that they can come a sit down have a chat and just get some confidence on using their phones and tablets. For some, being able to play games helps keep their mind active and they do not always want to ask family on how they can do things on their phone.
“I always say there is no such thing as a stupid question; The people who book sessions with me can ask as many questions as they want, and as I help them, they can practice what I have shown them to ensure they are comfortable with what they have learnt.
A Memorable Moment
“It’s difficult to choose just one, as I have met some lovely people over the months I’ve been here. One week, I met a lovely 92 year old lady. We set up the Waitrose shopping app on her iPad so she could order her shopping from home. She was so pleased to have this independence of being able to do it by herself.”
Tuesday is the only day I go out of the house, and when I do, I come here to see Nicole with my laptop. The Community Hub is very nice, so I may join in with the other activities as I get to know people.
Ben, New Ash Green resident
More Opportunities to Support our Community
The news about the extended funding from Sevenoaks District Council was a delight for our Head of Business Development & Services, Amanda Sheer. She said:
“When we got the good news from SDC, we were so delighted, as were the community we have become part of at New Ash Green. It’s a rural area and quite isolated, so local people can find it difficult to access services they need everyday. But by taking our service to them, we are able to support the people who need it most.
“Nicole is doing such an amazing job of supporting New Ash Green’s residents; her sessions are quickly booked up in advance, but she always makes time for others who would rather just drop in for a quick question or need a little advice.
“Many of the skills they want to learn are things the rest of us may take for granted. Things like being able to stay in touch with family, ordering something online, sending an email, or finding medical information. Being able to continue these sessions until March next year gives us more opportunities to continue supporting this community.”
I love that I can just drop in as and when I have a query, and know I will have my question answered. Nicole is always very accommodating.
Lynda, New Ash Green resident
We are grateful to Sevenoaks District Council for extending the funding for our New Ash Green Outreach sessions. The impact it has on the residents, and their confidence, is immeasurable.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our digital skills support, learn more on our Outreach page to see where our drop in sessions are available across Kent.
