Get Online Day 2008 September 30, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in Community Development, DC10+, DC10plus, Digital Divide, Digital Inclusion, Education, Events, GMDDA, Internet, News, UK Online Centres, e-Skills.Tags: Campaign for Learning, Family Learning Festival, Get Online Day
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The second annual Get online day is taking place this year on 24 October 2008. Part of Campaign for Learning’s Family Learning Festival, it’s another chance for families to log on and learn more about the world wide web.
One in three adults in the UK still aren’t online, and this includes an estimated 25% of parents. Not being online means those families aren’t taking advantage of the information and benefits the internet has brought to the rest of the population. And it’s disadvantaged or poorer families who are most likely to be missing out.
The digital divide between the ‘haves’ and ‘have not’ of ICT is bigger than ever, and has an impact not just on the individual but on families, the economic and social health of communities, on political processes and public services. It’s time everyone had the skills, access and motivation to make digital choices and take digital opportunities.
By targeting families, the idea is that the digital natives in a family – often the children – will get the digitally divided involved. It’s a chance for families to share their ICT and internet skills, spend time together and learn how the internet could keep on helping in everyday family life.
To find out more information about Get online day - its partners, supporters and some of the activities taking place - please visit the Get online day website: http://www.getonlineday.com/
Digital Inclusion Minister sees Merseyside communities getting connected June 24, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in AIMES, Community Development, DC10+, DC10plus, Digital Inclusion, Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme, Education, GMDDA, Liverpool, Merseyside, News, North West England, St Helens, Training.Tags: Community Grid, Huw Irranca-Davies MP, OciusB2, South Liverpool Personnel, St Cuthbert's
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Digital Inclusion Minister Huw Irranca-Davies visited Liverpool and St. Helens last week to see how the Merseyside region is leading the way in making IT facilities more accessible to local communities.
Mr Irranca-Davies visited the Parents and Children Together (PACT) project, run by EverybodyOnline and held at South Liverpool Personnel, which runs a series of taster sessions to help local parents access the internet, learn new skills and find out how technology could improve their lives.
Following this he went onto St. Cuthbert’s Catholic Community College for Business and Enterprise in St. Helens to hear about the Community Grid concept, which provides the local community with easy-to-use, low-cost, low-energy home access to the internet and other computing resources.
Commenting on the projects he had seen Mr Irranca-Davies said: “The two projects I have seen today are great examples of how we can make the latest technologies accessible to people who, without projects such as these, would not have access to the internet and other computer resources.
“By teaching parents basic information about the internet they can make sure their children are safe online as well as finding out how they can use the internet for day-to-day chores such as online shopping and online money management. I hope other areas can learn from this innovative project.
“All too often we hear about the expense of the equipment and technology needed to connect to the internet being a barrier for many people. Thanks to the Community Grid project over 600 homes in St. Helens and Liverpool will have access to software applications and the internet.
“By providing people with all the connectivity, hardware, software, licensing and maintenance overheads Community Grid is removing these barriers and giving people the access they need.
“The PACT project and the Community Grid should be congratulated for their innovative projects which are helping people in the North West of England become more digitally included.”
The Community Grid digital inclusion project is led by AIMES, (a spin out of the University of Liverpool) and its technology partner, e-communications specialist OciusB2, more information here. It is part of a wider initiative, the Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme (DIEP), which aims to roll the service out to over 5,000 households in Merseyside.
“Alt Valley’s Got Talent” winner announced June 23, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in Awards, Capital of Culture, Community Development, GMDDA, ICDC, Liverpool, Merseyside, News.Tags: Alt Valley Vision
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Huge congratulations to the ultimate winner of Alt Valley’s Got Talent, singer/songwriter Michelle Strahan! Michelle won £250 and the opportunity to perform at a star-studded Open Culture event in 2008.
Special Runners Up Kirsty Crook and Urban Street Stars Juniors won £50 each
To celebrate the success of ICDC’s digital inclusion project, Alt Valley Vision, a community talent contest was held for anyone over the age of 8 who lives, works, studies or plays in the Alt Valley area of Liverpool.
Auditions were held in the community during half term week and each audition was filmed and is available to view on Alt Valley’s Got Talent website for all to see.
The final will took place during the Alt Valley Music and Arts Festival on Sunday 22nd June, with guest judges, Professor Phil Redmond and Joanna Jones Director of Bananafish Management, a successful TV, theatre and film casting agency based in Liverpool.
GMDDA welcomes Government Strategy on Digital Inclusion May 2, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in AIMES, Community Development, DC10+, DC10plus, DIEP, Digital Inclusion, Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme, Entrepreneurship, GMDDA, Local Authorities, Merseyside, News, Technology, UK Online Centres, e-Skills.Tags: Helen Milner, Paul Murphy MP, Prof Dennis Kehoe, David Parr
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A strategy to get the last third of unconnected UK citizens online is now being drawn up, according to Paul Murphy MP, Minister for Digital Inclusion, at yesterday’s National Digital Inclusion Conference, also attended by GMDDA. In his first speech since his appointment, he revealed the strategy could be in place by summer.
Some 17 million citizens in the UK did not have access to a computer, either at home or at work, he said, “Chances are these people come from an older or socially, economically or geographically disadvantaged group”.
The new cabinet committee set up by Mr Murphy met for the first time last week, “We came up with the following mission statement: To co-ordinate policies and a coherent strategy that all citizens, especially the disadvantaged, can benefit from new technologies,” he told the conference.
Delegates welcomed the appointment of the first cabinet minister to have responsibility for digital exclusion.
“The vision from government seems now to be bigger and bolder,” said Helen Milner, managing director of UK Online centres, community-based groups aimed at connecting the disconnected.
David Parr, Chair of the Greater Merseyside Digital Development Agency agreed, “This is a clear indication that the priorities of GMDDA, tackling digital exclusion in our communities, is also being addressed by central government.”
These views were echoed by Professor Dennis Kehoe, Director of the AIMES Centre at the University of Liverpool, “It is good to hear that Government is addressing digital inclusion at Cabinet-level, comments expressed today mirror exactly our objectives in the Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme for Merseyside. There is a clear link between digital inclusion and economic prosperity”
GMDDA and AIMES are currently working with other partners, including local councils, to digitally enable over 5,000 residents, as well as encouraging enterprise development and other initiatives, such as homeshoring. Read more about the programme here: http://diep.aimes.net/
Wirral TV to launch April 7, 2008
Posted by Rich Spragg in Community Development, Digital Inclusion, Events, GMDDA, Merseyside, News, Wirral, Wirral Community TV.1 comment so far
Wirral TV is set to launch on Friday 18th April 2008 at the Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Road, Birkenhead, Wirral CH43 4UE between 11.30am and 2.30pm
The borough-wide community TV scheme means that residents of Wirral now have the opportunity to train in video production and see their own videos on a special website.
With the aid of grants from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, the Single Regeneration Budget and Riverside Housing, the two-year pilot scheme has provided the kit and specialist training for what could become Wirral’s own community television service.
The project, which was originally administered by Birkenhead Sixth Form College in association with local community trusts, is aimed at all sections of the community and for all age groups. Training courses have given trainees the basic knowledge to allow them to make their own videos.
The idea is that local residents will have the chance to make videos about anything they choose: a local band or football team; an environmental project; a campaign to clean up a local beauty-spot; local history… the choice is as broad as your imagination!
Canapes and refreshments will be served throughout the presentation of the new Wirral TV website, which will go live during the course of the presentation.
Wirral TV hope that you can set some time aside from your busy diary and come along on the 18th to celebrate the official launch of this new successful Social Enterprise and see for yourself how Wirral TV is set to serve the needs of the whole of the Wirral.
If possible please respond before 11th April 2008 for catering purposes either by phone or e-mail.
Telephone: 0151 644 4512
Email: info@wirraltv.net
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