Website changes live - Monday 1 February

Online Centres Network Members News

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Thursday 28 January 2021

Hello <<First Name>>

We’re pleased to share that from Monday 1 February, the full functionality of the Online Centres Network website will resume after our freeze that’s been in place over the past six weeks. Our Digital Team has made some important changes in order to improve our systems and processes. I wanted to share my thanks with you for persevering with the restricted capacity of the website, especially through such challenging times where accessing important resources and information online has become more important than ever.

Whilst the majority of the work has been to improve the internal systems of the site, you may notice some small differences such as new and improved forms for joining the network and applying for funding. We do hope you like these more efficient and improved forms.

Functionality will resume from Monday where you will be able to change your centre information, assign roles to individuals within your organisation, link your account to a centre, receive grant payments and subscribe to newsletters. External organisations will also be able to join the network, so if you know anyone interested in signing up then please let them know.

Best wishes,
Helen Milner OBE
Chief Executive - Good Things Foundation

Future Proof digital employability report launched

Yesterday we launched our final report from Future Proof: Shocks, knocks and skill building blocks. The project showcases the impact of community support in addressing employability challenges faced all across the UK, and is a celebration of the incredible work of 13 network community partners over the last challenging year.

Using online learning resources from Accenture and Good Things Foundation, our community partners supported 930 people with digital skills, helped them find jobs, explore new careers, to become self-employed and build back their confidence. We are so grateful to all our community partners who have met the needs of people in crisis and moved support services to remote delivery so you could still be there for people when they have needed you the most. Good Things Foundation could not have the digital inclusion impact it has, without partners like you. To understand more about the project, partners and resources please take a look at our report and if you have any questions please contact our Head of Research, Alice Mathers at alice.mathers@goodthingsfoundation.org.

LLOYDS DIGITAL HELPLINE TO SUPPORT ISOLATED INDIVIDUALS

In April 2020, in response to the first COVID-19 national lockdown, Lloyds Banking Group set up a free helpline to support isolated individuals and ensure they could still access important services and information. The helpline provides free one to one training and support to isolated adults on how to use the internet for a range of activities that help them to stay safe at home and connected with loved ones, as well as get shopping delivered to their door and have control over their finances. Find out more information about the scheme and how you can make a referral here.

Reboot - set up a scheme to provide devices to your community

Reboot is an interactive platform by Nominet which provides practical advice to enable schools, charities and community groups to set up their own device distribution programme. You can collect, restore and rehome devices to individuals in need at this challenging time. Check out the free guide to find out how you can help individuals in your community to build a brighter future. Reboot also offers assistance when devising a similar programme of your own to ensure it is cost effective, practical and environmentally friendly, find out more here. You can also find a live list of local schemes across the UK.

LEARN MY WAY NEXT GENERATION - NEW TOPICS

Last year, lots of our community partners helped support our Learning Team by providing feedback to inform the next generation of Learn My Way. The team would like to thank everyone that took part in the sessions to help improve the new version of the learning platform. Whilst our Digital Team is busy working on the new elements, we are in the process of looking at how we can break down our courses into smaller topics. Our ‘Finding a job online’ section has several gaps due to the nature of how searching for work has changed a lot, particularly in the last twelve months. If you’re interested in taking part in a further development session to help share your insight, then please complete the following form by Thursday 4 February and we will be in touch.

All contacts in the Online Centres Network agree to receive the weekly newsletters when they sign up to join the network but if you think you shouldn't have received this email, then please let us know at hello@goodthingsfoundation.org or unsubscribe below.