Introducing the Heeley Online Project
The Heeley Online Project is now in its sixth year, and continues to go from strength to strength delivering free, practical and accessible IT training in Heeley and across Sheffield. At the Heeley Online Centre on Thirlwell Road, tutor John Marshall is supported by a number of volunteers who help to broaden the horizons and change the lives of local people by teaching them how to access the many benefits of the internet.
Digital Exclusion – A Big Issue
Not being able to use or easily access the internet is called Digital Exclusion, and it affects 95,000 people in Sheffield alone. Digitally Excluded people miss out on the opportunity to keep in closer touch with family and friends via email, save money on food, fuel and other household expenses, access vital government services, and enjoy the many online sites catering to a huge range of hobbies and interests from football to country dancing.
Helping Sheffield Get Online
The Heeley Online Project works with national partner UK Online Centres to tackle the problem of Digital Exclusion across Sheffield. We co-ordinate sessions with Sheffield Homes, the Sheffield City Council Library Service, JobCentres, and deliver in venues ranging from pubs to sheltered housing schemes – currently we deliver weekly classes in 30 venues, all of which are friendly and free of charge. There are no start dates or end dates, just ongoing advice and support tailored to the needs of individual learners.
Learning on Your Doorstep
Sessions at the Heeley Online Centre run 9am-12pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday, and 1-4pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and you can book by phone on 0114 2500 613. If you live elsewhere in Sheffield, ring the same number to find out about sessions running near to where you live. Absolutely no previous knowledge of computers is required, and our ‘no jargon’ approach means that you don’t have to worry about learning technical terms and can get on with enjoying the benefits of being online, so why not join the hundreds of people who’ve come to us and found that it’s never too late to learn!
Being a Digital Champion – Could You Help?
Nearly all of our sessions are delivered by volunteer Digital Champions working for free to help individuals and strengthen communities. Digital Champions don’t need formal qualifications in IT, just a practical understanding of modern computers and the internet – much more important are friendliness, patience and strong communication skills. If you can spare 2-3 hours a week and would like to know more about how you can change lives by helping to deliver one of our outreach sessions, please contact Digital Champion Co-ordinator James Richardson by email at james.r@heeleydevtrust.com.
Heeley Development Trust – Delivering Learning For the Whole Community
The Heeley Online Project is co-ordinated by Heeley Development Trust (HDT). In addition to tackling Digital Exclusion, HDT also offer a comprehensive package of Lifelong Learning & Skills (LLUK) learning packages either for free or at very low cost, in a wide range of subjects including literacy, numeracy, ESOL, accredited computer classes (web design, Word and other Microsoft packages, digital imaging) and engagement classes including keep fit, zumba, and head & hand massage. For more details please contact Heeley and Abbeydale Learning Champion Liz Bowman by email at liz.b@heeleydevtrust.com or by phone on 07870 388 423.
