Year: 2023

Dorset’s army of embedded digital champions helping thousands of people get online

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A free training course has recruited enough digital champions to help thousands of Dorset residents access vital digital services. The initiative, run by Dorset Council, has trained and recruited 950 people who work in frontline roles to be embedded digital champions. And, on average, each embedded digital champion is helping at least one person a… Read more Dorset’s army of embedded digital champions helping thousands of people get online

Volunteer digital champion with Patrick, one of his regular visitors

When volunteer digital champion Mike answered the call for help, he never looked back

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This year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our volunteer digital champion service and over the next few months we’ll be shining a light on the difference this is making to people’s lives. We start with a feature on one of our longest serving champions, Mike Watson. It was a just normal day of the… Read more When volunteer digital champion Mike answered the call for help, he never looked back

Staying safe online – why are backups so important?

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Andy Taylor, one of our Volunteer Digital Champions, has over 35 years of experience in information security. In his latest blog post, he provides practical and easy-to-follow advice on how to stay safe online. In my previous blog, I looked at passwords and how to select and use a strong one to avoid personal information… Read more Staying safe online – why are backups so important?

Festival of the Future 2022 – lessons learnt

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Autonomous tractors, drones, robotic dogs, and assistive technology… words you’d associate with Dorset?   Possibly not… but Dorset Council is keen on cutting-edge technology and making sure everyone hears about it! For the third year running, the Festival of Future has been used to showcase the most exciting tech happening in Dorset.  We’ve come a long… Read more Festival of the Future 2022 – lessons learnt

Simon Hobbs from Swanage with the laptop that was gifted to him by the Digital Doorway scheme and one of the crafts he has made.

How digital opened a whole new world for Simon

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It was 2021, the country was in lockdown and everything in Simon Hobbs’ world had turned upside down. Forced to give up his job as a primary school teacher due to mental health struggles, the then 50-year-old from Swanage had reached the lowest moment of his life. But fast-forward two years later, thanks to amazing… Read more How digital opened a whole new world for Simon

Progress towards our digital vision

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In February, we reported to Dorset Council Cabinet the progress we have been making with our ambition to create a digital council in a digital place. We explained how we will support our refreshed Council Plan, with emphasis on cabinet commitment 10, which focuses on Digital Innovation and helping Dorset Council to become a more… Read more Progress towards our digital vision

Image of a coffee shop

How digital and council employees are helping to boost the local economy

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As an organisation one of our top priorities is to be digital council in a digital place. We pride ourselves on being both a good employer and a supporter of local businesses – and with our local discount scheme we’re able to do both. And thanks to digital, we have found a very easy way… Read more How digital and council employees are helping to boost the local economy

Dorset Council awarded £1 million for digital initiatives that will help improve services for residents and businesses

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Dorset Council has once again shown itself to be a leader in digital services after securing two major levelling up grants to support this work. We are just one of eight local authorities to be chosen to help pilot a new national initiative called Future Councils. Receiving £750,000 from the Local Digital arm of the… Read more Dorset Council awarded £1 million for digital initiatives that will help improve services for residents and businesses