Free digital sessions offered in 'get online' week

Council digital officer Stefan Paszki, council cabinet member for governance and digital Jeszemma Howl and senior librarian David Potts (left to right), were pictured at Central Library in Wolverhampton

Free digital sessions helping people get to grips with technology will take place in Wolverhampton next week.

Get Online Week, which has been held nationally each year since 2007, is led by charity Good Things Foundation.

Digital Wolves, partner network of the city council, will host at least 16 sessions at various sites, including seven at libraries, with sessions also being streamed online.

The council pointed out there was free public computer and wi-fi access and access to ebooks, emagazines and other online resources, at all 16 city libraries.

Digital Wolves helps "distribute devices and connectivity to the digitally excluded in Wolverhampton" and provides support and training, the council said.

'Get communities connected'

Whether it was "simply learning how to send an email" or tips on safe online shopping, there "something for everyone", it added.

Jeszemma Howl, cabinet member for governance and digital, said not everybody "has access to the equipment or the confidence and knowledge to get online".

"We support Get Online Week as it aligns with our year-round work helping to get our communities connected so they are not left locked out of the opportunities available to them in an increasingly digital world," she added.

The council said a limited number of free sim-cards provided by charity We Are Group and Vodafone, would also be available to help people get free access to connectivity.