Hello <<First Name>>

Thanks to all of you that shared pictures of your Safer Internet Day sessions. It’s been great to see so many of you supporting your learners to stay safe online. We’re currently crunching the numbers to find out who the winner is of our Safer Internet Day competition. If you took part in your centre, keep an eye on your inbox, because it could be you.

This week we also announced that our new online safety courses are now available on Learn My Way. and complementary session guides will be available soon. Our Learning team went out to try these resources on Tuesday at online safety sessions held by Starting Point in Stockport and Joining Communities in Leigh. Thank you for having us.

Our Digital Inclusion team also visited Heatons Men in Sheds, Salford Loaves & Fishes, Corinth Training & Mustard Tree.

You can catch up on all the action by visiting the @Online_Centres Twitter page.

Best wishes
Helen Milner OBE
Chief Executive
Good Things Foundation

BT Research - Non users of the internet - understanding the motivations and overcoming barriers

On Tuesday 26 February, in partnership with BT, we’re holding a practical and informative event for digital inclusion practitioners to learn more about how to understand motivations and overcome barriers for non users of the internet. The event will share our latest research, and help you to embed this insight into delivery at your centre.

The event will take place at the Impact Hub, Birmingham, B5 5NR, from 10.30 - 3.30.

At the event, we’ll be sharing the research findings, as well as giving you the chance to hear from other organisations who are successfully overcoming barriers in their communities. You’ll take part in workshops to dive deeper into the barriers, and come up with practical plans to help overcome them. You’ll also have the opportunity to network with other organisations who are supporting digitally excluded people.

AFFORDABLE DEVICES FROM COMPUTER AID

Members of the Online Centres Network, and their learners, can now purchase refurbished desktop computers from as little as £73 and laptops from £103 (both inc. VAT) plus a delivery fee. You can find more technical specifications on the Online Centres Network website.

Applications for the Bright Ideas Fund open 26 February

The Bright Ideas Fund is funded by Power to Change, delivered by Locality, and in partnership with Cooperatives UK, the Plunkett Foundation and GroundWork UK. The fund offers up to £15,000 in grant funding, community business development support and the chance to network and learn from other organisations.

Funding is available for ideas in the following areas:

Social isolation
Health and wellbeing Social isolation
Employability
Better access to basic service
Local environment
Community cohesion
Community pride and empowerment

The Bright Ideas Fund application will open on Tuesday 26 February 2019, and close on Tuesday 9 April 2019. For full eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit the my community website.

For full eligibility criteria and how to apply

IT SUPPORT AVAILABLE FROM CHARITY IT ASSOCIATION

The Charity IT Association is a small charity with a passion for helping other charities to get the most from their IT. Their vision is a world which charities are able to harness their full potential of technology to increase their potential for good. CITA is run by volunteers who reach out to support your organisation with IT such as website builds. Support varies depending on the volunteer and their expertise so you can be guaranteed a tailored experience.

To find out more, visit the CITA website.

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