We are urgently seeking a ‘digitally savvy, people person’ with up to four hours a week free to join our Bourne Digital project team as a volunteer Digital Champion.
This vital role will help underemployed and unemployed people in Bournemouth gain the digital skills they need to get into training or enter the workplace.
Digital exclusion is a rising national issue: 11.3 million UK adults lack at least one digital skill and 4.3 million people have no digital skills. In Dorset around 21% of people are not confident using the internet – that’s around 150,000 people across Dorset and 70,000 of these have never been online.
Age and background for this role don’t matter – but experience, commitment and a willingness to connect with adults who need independent support is essential.
You will act as an adult friend and adviser and meet regularly with digital learners in Bournemouth to teach them the digital skills they need, help them gain confidence and belief in themselves and set them on the path to start training or enter the working world.
Perhaps recently retired from a public focused career or maybe a student at University you are very comfortable with all things digital yourself and want to make a difference to others. It’s a long-term relationship so a commitment of a year, of up to 4 hours a week is needed. There will be good opportunities to gain experience in a wide range of skills and a reference can be provided.
The role is part of an exciting new project called Bourne Digital which is part of Power Up, an initiative by Good Things Foundation, with the financial support of J.P Morgan.
The volunteers will be recruited, trained and supported through a digital inclusion project based at Dorset Council.
Councillor Gary Suttle, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Skills, Dorset Council said: “A lack of digital skills can have a huge negative impact on a person’s life. It can mean financial exclusion, poorer health and less access to jobs and education. Those who are already socially disadvantaged can suffer the most as the pace of digital change increases.”
Training will be provided to help you in this role and expenses will be paid.
Please ring us for an informal chat about the role: Lyndsey Trinder, Digital Dorset (Monday – Thursday) on 01305 225174 or Penny Syddall, Digital Dorset (Monday – Friday) on 01305 225065 or leave a message with contact details.
Email digitalchampions@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk with your full contact details and we will send you the job description and person specification.
