Get online with Shaw Trust

Shaw Trust will be helping people in Salisbury to use computers and the internet at its Get Online event on 23 October 2010 between 10 am and 4pm.

There are 10 million adults in the UK who don’t use the internet. With many services going online and most new jobs now requiring internet skills, these adults could be missing out on all sorts of benefits, opportunities and savings. Registered as a centre to help people get online and in support of National Get Online Week (18-24 October), the organisation’s Salisbury Personal Development Service (SPDS) is giving everyone in the local area the opportunity to get started:
“From finding out where to switch on the computer to sending an email, looking up ebay or watching a favourite TV clip on iplayer, we want to show people that using a computer can be fun but it can also be helpful in organising your day to day life, says James Roger, centre manager at Shaw Trust, Salisbury.
“The internet is helping millions of people get more out of their lives; whether you want to keep in touch with family and friends, improve your job prospects, research your family tree, compare prices or fill in forms. You could save time, money and hassle by doing it all on the internet. With our help, anyone can get to grips with computers, and we’ll be on hand to help you get started with the Get Online Week game, and our free and easy myguide courses.”

One of the people Shaw Trust has already helped to get to grips with computers said: “I used to be scared of computers, but the tutors at Shaw Trust went through everything at my pace and got me started on a brilliant website called myguide, which gives you access to free email and has loads of courses on different bits of computers and the internet. Now I’m emailing my family, doing my shopping online, and last week I even got my tax disc online too!
“I can’t believe how much more confident I am with computers, and how much I now do on the internet. It’s opened up a whole new world. I’d definitely recommend other people to come along to the Get Online event and give it a go for themselves.”

Shaw Trust is an active partner in the local community providing advice and support to help people with disability or disadvantage to find work and achieve independence. If you would like to find out more about Shaw Trust’s services in Salisbury or more information on this event, come along on 23 October 2010 at Shaw Trust, The Portway, or call James Rogers at 01722 337192 for more information.

Ends

For more information about this press release, please contact Darryn Millman on 01722 337192 or at darryn.millman@shaw-trust.org .uk.

Notes to editors
• This year is the fourth Get Online campaign from UK online centres, and Get online week 2010 runs from 18 – 24 October. It is run in partnership with major Race Online 2012 partners including BBC, Post Office and mobile phone network Three.

• People can find their nearest event by calling 0800 77 1234, or visit www.myguide.gov.uk to get started with free and easy computer and internet courses immediately.

• 30 million people use the internet everyday in the UK. More than half of all leisure travel is now booked online, 90% of all new jobs require basic internet skills and seven million jobs were posted online last year. However, there are still 10 million adults in the UK who have never used the internet, and are missing out on the benefits, opportunities and conveniences it can provide. What’s more, the problem is worst for those already at a disadvantage. If you’re older, disabled, or on a low income, you’re far more likely to be off-line. Visit www.raceonline2012.org to read more in Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox’s Digital Manifesto – Manifesto for a Networked nation.

• myguide (www.myguide.gov.uk) is a simple web platform designed to make getting online easy and intuitive, and was developed by the central UK online centres team in consultation with a wide variety of partners.

• UK online centres provide millions of people with access to technology and support in using it. They offer free or low cost access to the internet and email, deliver online courses and encourage people to progress onto further learning. For more information please visit www.ukonlinecentres.com. There are thousands of UK online centres across England, and many use myguide and Online basics to introduce people to the world of ICT.

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