Barnet Get Online Week takes place on Monday 22nd – Friday 26th August 2022.
To celebrate the week, Barnet Council, BOOST and community organisations will host a series of events and workshops to showcase different resources available to residents who may be struggling to get online. Our aim is to provide residents with the necessary digital skills to safely navigate the internet to access employment, benefits, healthcare, education and well-being.
Getting online
Technology can open up a new world of opportunities to explore new things, such as looking for employment, new skills, shopping, news and much more. The last few years have taught us how vital digital skills are to our wellbeing and safety so it’s important that new users of technology are supported and taught the basics of getting online and know how to stay safe.
Here in Barnet, we’re working as a whole community to host a series of digital skills events to inspire more Barnet residents to get online. Look out for the events calendar to see what’s taking place in your local community.
Digital Champions
BOOST, Barnet Council’s skills and employability service, give residents across the borough the opportunity to become digital champions. The aim is to equip people with the necessary digital skills to be able to support other people in their community. Anyone can join and no specialist IT skills are necessary.
Do you want to help Barnet residents to gain those essential skills to get online? Why not volunteer to become a digital champion? You don’t need to be an expert and you’ll receive CPD accredited training, gain new skills and be able to give back to the local community. Visit our new Barnet Digital Inclusion website to apply or find out more https://www.barnetgetonline.org/
The Barnet Get Online Network
The Barnet Get Online Network brings together Barnet Community groups and Barnet Council and spreads digital inclusion activity across Barnet.
Its 50+ members have the opportunity to receive support, collaborate, share, access training and get involved in digital inclusion activity in Barnet.
Our member organisations include Age UK Barnet, Art Against Knives, F.U.S.E, Grange Big Local, 2econd Chance, Community Focus and Inclusion Barnet.
If you work for an organisation in Barnet and need support with digital inclusion, please get in touch with us at GetOnline@Barnet.gov.uk
Donate Laptops
Affordable IT equipment such as laptops and tablets can be a real barrier for Barnet residents who are trying to get online.
Access to the internet is a vital for carrying out day to day tasks such as accessing healthcare, benefits, applying for employment and much more.
That’s why Barnet Libraries are working with 2econd Chance to help to reduce the digital divide by refurbishing your unwanted laptops and tablets to give them a new home.
Donate to 2econd Chance?
2econd Chance is a laptop and tablet recycling not-for-profit committed to reducing e-Waste and a training provider for people furthest away from the job market. Alongside providing professional computer recycling services, including free computer collection and secure data destruction, 2econd Chance also deliver free accredited training programmes for people who are not in employment, education or training.
By donating your unwanted laptops, tablets or mobile phones, not only will you prevent them from going to landfill but you will be providing meaningful training and employment opportunities for people with learning difficulties and SEMH (social, emotional, and mental health) needs.
You can donate your unwanted laptop or tablet at your local Barnet library today. (during staffed hours only).
Access Community Fibre Free of Charge Broadband
Barnet Council is working with Community Fibre to offer free fibre broadband for 12 months to Barnet residents on low incomes. This scheme has been set up to support Barnet residents who don’t have broadband in their home.
If you are a Barnet resident and think you may qualify, get in touch with BOOST at GetOnline@Barnet.gov.uk – call 020 8359 5600 or visit us at BOOST Burnt Oak Library 99 Watling Avenue Edgware HA8 0UB BOOST Childs Hill 184 Cricklewood Lane NW2 2DX
Barnet Council Refurbished Laptop Scheme
For some Barnet residents, access to affordable computers and tablets can be a barrier to digital participation. The Barnet Council Refurbished Laptop Scheme helps organisations by giving them access to equipment that they may use to help residents go online, find work, reduce loneliness, access benefits, improve health and wellbeing, and overcome other barriers to online access. Community groups are able to apply for laptops and set up community laptop loans schemes or digital skills workshops. To see if you qualify, visit https://www.barnet.gov.uk/barnet-digital-inclusion/barnet-refurbished-laptop-scheme
Barnet Digital Skills Support
Barnet residents can access over 20 digital skills weekly workshops and drop-in clinics to get support to get help to gain digital skills.
A full calendar of digital skills events can be found here: https://www.barnet.gov.uk/events/all?f%5B0%5D=type%3ADigital%20skills%20and%20training
The Barnet Digital Highlights 2021 – 2022
- Established the Barnet Get Online Network – 50+ members
- Recruited 28 Digital Champions
- 15 weekly Digital Skills support sessions.
- BOOST delivered 34 digital skills workshops since April 2022
- Provided over 400 Barnet Refurbished Laptops
- Delivered digital skills workshops
- 206 digital interactions