A FREE training programme that has recruited an army of special advisors to help thousands of Dorset’s residents get online has scooped a prestigious national award.
Dorset Council’s ‘Embedded Digital Champion’ initiative won the acclaimed ‘Digital Skills’ title at the Connected Britain awards in London.
The award recognises the feat of training nearly 1,000 of the county’s frontline workers and volunteers to be digital champion in their own organisations.
On average, each embedded digital champion is helping at least one person a week with their digital skills.
The award ceremony recognises the most significant and innovative organisations and programmes that are helping to shape Britain’s digital future.
In winning, Dorset Council beat off competition from the likes of the Lloyds Banking Group and Vodafone.
The judges said: “The scheme is a proactive and impactful initiative that tackles the digital divide head on, providing digital skills to empower those that need it most.”
Digital champions for the initiative were trained from places such as GP surgeries, libraries, Dorset and BCP Councils, housing associations and volunteer organisations to provide the free to use training programme to residents.
On average, each champion helps at least one person per week with skills such as filling out forms, accessing emails, password management, and can also help to signpost people towards specialist help if required.
The council believes that potentially 46,000 residents are being supported through the programme each year, which offers its services either over the phone or in person, at sessions across the county.
Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Corporate Development and Transformation, Councillor Jill Haynes, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Embedded Digital Champions scheme has won national recognition for helping more of our resident access online services.
“Everyone who has become an embedded digital champion has not only enhanced their own digital skills but are also helping their customers to access and use online services.
“As we move more and more into a digital world their support has never been more important and I thank every single one of them for doing this training – this award is for them.”
This first phase of the embedded digital champion training has now ended.
Anyone interested in finding out about possible future courses can email digitaldorset@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
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