The growing dependence on technology puts those with limited digital skills at risk of being excluded from many aspects of contemporary life. This could create a significant gap in people’s abilities to fully participate in social activities or to access education, employment, and other online services.
Our Digital Skills Programme
As part of the HERE ALSO mission to nurture inclusive communities, we create and facilitate customised digital skills training sessions to help bridge a very real gap through our specialist learning materials. Our unique resources and approaches are designed to help participants access and navigate digital services more effectively and securely.
HERE ALSO Digital Skills programmes not only offer practical instruction to participants across a range of tools and platforms but also focus on developing an instinctive approach to working with technology. Recognising that individuals have unique learning styles, we include a rich variety of activities within sessions, promoting a deeper understanding and increased confidence in participants.
Who can benefit from the programme?
The programmes benefit those who lack skills and knowledge to effectively use and take advantage of everyday digital technologies, barriers which are more prevalent among:
- Non-digital native generations
- Those with no access to devices or an internet connection for socio-economic reasons, those living in areas with poor or no internet infrastructure
What do our training sessions cover?
Participants will be assessed, and based on needs identified, we will be able to offer the appropriate level of support to help them manage everyday digital activities. Areas covered include:
- Foundations: understanding how to use a computer, including knowledge of operating systems, file management, and basic troubleshooting.
- Using the internet effectively: navigating web browsers, using search engines, and understanding online safety and security.
- Communications: using email, instant messaging, and social media platforms
- Content creation: online documents to share, such as text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, images, audio, and video.
- Digital collaboration: working with digital tools, such as cloud storage, project management platforms, and video conferencing software.
- E-commerce and online transactions: managing online shopping, bill payments, and secure banking transactions.
- Online behaviour: understanding and practising respectful and appropriate online behaviour, such as maintaining privacy, becoming aware of copyright, and preventing cyberbullying.
Who leads the programmes?
Maryam Moarefvand, Founder of HERE ALSO, leads the Digital Skills Programme. A caring and creative leader, programme designer, inclusivity champion and community changemaker, Maryam has worked in digital and educational environments for more than 20 years. She has delivered training sessions at London Metropolitan University, Mary Ward Adult Learning, Facework Futures, and provided private tuition. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep understanding of learning styles and teaching methods and takes pride in ensuring that all participants gain maximum benefit from one-to-one or group sessions. Below is just some of the feedback from those she has had the pleasure of working with:
