Digital Essex

It’s a new year, so we thought it was time to reintroduce ourselves to our new followers 👋 We’re Digital Essex, Essex County Council's central body for countywide digital initiatives. It’s our aim that no individual or business is excluded from digital opportunities due to: - Lack of high speed, affordable broadband connections 🌐 - Equipment 🖥️ - Skills 😟 We’re also proud to be Good Things Foundation Ambassadors and we’re working to support their aims to improve lives through digital. Find out more about our work here: https://lnkd.in/e6AEBAHe

Your feedback matters! 🗣 We want to learn more about our audience and how we can improve your experience on our platforms 🌟 Please take a minute to fill out our quick, anonymous survey to help shape our future projects and plans 📝 To participate, you can visit: https://lnkd.in/enkRJ-xJ

We’re excited to introduce our new tool, The Digital Help Finder in collaboration with Essex CVSs and Mortar! 👏 What will you be able to do with it? - Assess and track your digital skills 📊 - Discover local courses and support services 📚 - Get help with devices, connectivity, and 1-to-1 support 💻 The tool is designed to support your community and have a significant impact in improving their digital skills. On 4 November we will be hosting a launch event so attendees can trial the tool and give their feedback 🎉 Keep an eye on our social channels for updates and informative content from the day. To learn more, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eunxHXKp #DigitalInclusion #DigitalEssex #DigitalHelpFinder #DigitalDivide

Sunday was the end of #GetOnlineWeek, where we highlighted some of the amazing services in Essex dedicated to combating digital exclusion! 🌐 We had the pleasure of interviewing five organisations: - Witham Hub ✅ - SECH - South Essex Community Hub ✅ - East Essex Hackspace ✅ - VOLUNTARY ACTION EPPING FOREST ✅ - West Essex Can ✅ A huge thank you to these services for their incredible work. We wish them continued success in their future initiatives and look forward to seeing more of their efforts to make Essex a inclusive and connected county 💻 #DigitalEssex #DigitalInclusion #Essex #FixTheDigitalDivide

Finally for #GetOnlineWeek, we’re ending off with West Essex Can (WECAN)! 👏 WECAN are dedicated to bridging the digital divide by providing essential skills training, data, and devices to those in need. By working across libraries and community centres, they are empowering vulnerable individuals to navigate the digital world confidently and overcoming barriers they’ve faced 🌐 Read an interview about their initiatives in our blog: https://lnkd.in/ecDpJX5W #DigitalEssex #DigitalIclusion #WestEssex

Next up for #GetOnlineWeek, we’re spotlighting VOLUNTARY ACTION EPPING FOREST (VAEF)! 🌟 VAEF have been supporting local residents and non-profits for over 30 years, helping charities and community groups to reach their full potential 💻   Through their innovative POWER UP! Programme, VAEF provides essential digital data, devices, and support, making sure residents have the tools and knowledge to be digital in their daily lives 🌐   Read more in our latest blog where we interviewed VAEF about their dedicated efforts to combat digital exclusion: https://lnkd.in/ebkyrRPN

We're at the halfway point for #GetOnlineWeek, with the East Essex Hackspace up next! 🎉 Hackspace are dedicated to making technology accessible to everyone. By providing computing resources and software training, they enable individuals to learn at their own pace and develop new skills in areas they’ve never explored before 🔍 We take a deeper dive into their brilliant work in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/eidZBiAm #DigitalInclusion #DigitalEssex 

Next for #GetOnlineWeek, we’re thrilled to spotlight the fantastic work of SECH - South Essex Community Hub! 🤩 This small charity is making a big impact breaking down digital barriers and supporting the most vulnerable in South Essex. With many services now online, SECH are empowering those often overlooked in the digital shift 🌐 Find out more about the great initiatives they are leading on in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/erxZVdkC #DigitalInclusion #DigitalEssex #SouthEssex 

For #GetOnlineWeek we are excited to start off by highlighting the incredible work being done by The Witham Hub! 🙌 This organisation is making a significant impact by creating a safe and welcoming environment where volunteers teach essential digital skills. Their efforts are helping the community feel less isolated and more confident in the digital world 🌐 We spoke with Hub lead, Tina Townsend to find out more about how they are helping to combat digital exclusion in Witham. Read now in our blog: https://lnkd.in/eDZ8zQdw #DigitalInclusion #DigitalEssex #Witham 

We were delighted to attend in support of the launch of VOLUNTARY ACTION EPPING FOREST's Power UP! Epping campaign today as part of #GetOnlineWeek to help champion digital inclusion 🤝   Keep an eye on our socials this week for more from VAEF and the great work that they do! 👀 Find out more about Power UP! Epping here: https://lnkd.in/eGyg7jcU #DigitalInclusion #DigitalEssex