Press release -
Post Office Branches Host 'Get Connected' Internet Taster Sessions Across the North East
- 12 branches in the region taking part this week
- Local residents invited to visit branches for free introduction to the internet
Post Office branches across the North East will be hosting free internet taster sessions on the 5th and 6th of March as part of Go ON North East. The sessions will be supported by the charity Go ON UK which aims to make the UK the world’s most digitally skilled nation. 12 branches will be taking part and inviting local residents to try their hand at using computers and tablets to access the internet.
Activities this week come as part of the Go ON North East programme, following 6 months of activity in the region launched in October 2013 by Go ON’s chair Baroness Martha Lane-Fox. One in five adults in the UK (21%) lack basic online skills and 7 million of those do not use the internet. This figure is even higher in the North East where 24% of adults do not have the skills to use the internet. This means they cannot take advantage of internet searches, online shopping, or complete basic online forms.
The aim of the internet taster session will be to provide a familiar environment for people to try out the internet for the first time. Participating Post Office branches will offer guidance and support for people wishing to come and have a go on computers or tablets in an informal setting.
Mark Davies, Post Office Communications and Corporate Affairs Director said,
“To many people including myself, using the internet to shop or talk to family and friends is second nature. However there are millions of people who are missing out on these opportunities particularly in more rural areas.
“It is well documented that fear of having that first initial go on the internet is often the biggest barrier to overcome. We hope these sessions in our branches will offer people a friendly and familiar environment to do just that.
“The Post Office is ideally positioned to help people get connected, as our branch network is at the heart of communities across the UK. Our customers can already get a list of nearby IT facilities from any Post Office branch, making it easier for them to find out where to get help with their digital skills. I encourage customers in the North East to pop into a participating branch and find out what the internet can do for them.”
Sarah Bridges, Go ON UK Programme Director said,
“We’re delighted that Post Office is supporting Go ON North East by holding a Get Connected Day in selected branches across the region. Encouraging people to try out the internet is the first step towards enjoying all of the benefits of being online.”
The branches taking part across the region include:
- Billingham Crown Post Office
- Consett Crown Post Office
- Darlington Crown Post Office
- Durham Crown Post Office
- Hartlepool Crown Post Office
- South Shields Crown Post Office
- Sunderland City Crown Post Office
- Amble Post Office
- Allendale Post Office
- High Clarence Post Office
- Middleton St George Post Office
- Hetton le Hole Post Office
To find out details of how the Post Office is helping people ‘Get Connected’ visit http://corporate.postoffice.co.uk/getting-connected
Follow @postofficenews for the latest information.
Below are the addresses of those Post Office branches participating in Get Connected day:
Billingham Crown Post Office |
Crown Buildings, Billingham, Cleveland TS23 2LR |
Consett Crown Post Office |
Victoria Road, Consett, County Durham, DH8 5AA |
Darlington Crown Post Office |
Crown Street, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 1AB |
Durham Crown Post Office |
33 Silver Street, Durham, County Durham, DH1 3RE |
Hartlepool Crown Office |
123/4 Middleton Grange , Cleveland, TS24 7RQ |
South Shields Crown Office |
Keppel Street, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE33 1AA |
Sunderland City Crown Office |
45-47 Fawcett Street, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR1 1RR |
Amble Post Office branch |
43 Queen Street, Amble, Morpeth, NE65 0DA |
Allendale Post Office branch |
Marketplace, Allendale, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 9AZ |
High Clarence Post Office branch |
Port Clarence Road, Port Clarence, Stockton on Tees, TS2 1TW |
Middleton St George |
5 The Square, Middleton St. George, Darlington, DL2 1EG |
Hetton le Hole |
Front Street, Hetton- Le- Hole, Houghton Le Spring, Tyne And Wear, |
- Since 2012 the Post Office has supported Go ON UK’s aim to increase digital skills in the UK by signposting customers to local IT access and training facilities. Together with the Tinder Foundation and partners, Post Office branches offer customers a service which uses their postcode to print off the nearest five addresses of free or low cost internet access and training points.
- Go ON UK aims to make the UK the world’s most digitally skilled nation. Chaired by Baroness Lane-Fox, and other founding partners including Age UK, BBC, Big Lottery Fund, E.ON, EE, Lloyds Banking Group, Post Office and TalkTalk to ensure that everyone and every organisation – from small business to large corporations and charities – has the basic online skills to enjoy the social, economic and cultural benefits of the internet. Find out more at http://www.go-on.co.uk/
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