Press release -
Royal Wootton Bassett Post Office To Host Free IT Club For Local Residents
- Winners of Post Office Community Enterprise Grant launch IT project to tackle isolation
- Mayor, Councilors, Town Crier and local library unite in community spirit
- Local residents invited to join the ‘WithIT’ group for help using the latest tablet devices and getting online
Royal Wootton Bassett Post Office is to launch a new IT club for local residents. On Monday 7th April the club will open for registration and hold its first drop in class in the Royal Wootton Bassett library from 10.00am to 12.00pm. Funded by a grant from the Post Office Community Enterprise Fund, the newly formed ‘WithIT’ group will be on hand to teach the basic uses of tablet devices such as web browsing, email, photo and Skype.
The idea is to empower residents with internet skills and provide a sociable environment where members of the community can learn new IT skills and share existing talents. Royal Wootton Bassett Mayor, Linda Frost, North Wiltshire Cllr Allison Bucknell and the local library are all working closely with subpostmistress Rita Patel to make a positive difference in the community.
RWB Mayor, Linda Frost, said:
“I fully support and congratulate Rita on the work she has done and continues to do to in setting up this fantastic group. Her aim is not only to offer support to senior citizens to familiarise themselves with today's modern technology but to be part of a community group who in turn can help and support each other. Also to open new opportunities for them to use today's technology for everyday things and to be able to keep in touch with friends and family either by email or Skype who they previously may not have been able to do so. We have already received good support from volunteers who are very pleased to be part of this group and also from the younger generation who are happy to share their knowledge.”
Cllr, Allison Bucknell, said:
“This is a fantastic project and I am proud to support the ‘WithIT’ group. It is great to see the community working together to offer new services and share skills. A lot of hard work has gone into making this project a success for the people of Wootton Bassett and I encourage any of our older residents who have wondered about getting a tablet device but don’t know where to start to come along on 7th April to get involved.”
Rita Patel, subpostmistress of Royal Wootton Bassett Post Office, said:
“We can’t wait to host our first “With IT” session. I bought the tablet devices and equipment back in February when I was awarded the grant and have been itching to put them to use for weeks! I would like to thank everyone involved especially Mayor Linda Frost, Cllr Allison Bucknell, North Wiltshire Community Manager Penny Bell and community librarian Carolyn Kennedy for their support.”
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For more information contact:
Ellie Austin
0207 0123 107
ellie.b.austin@postoffice.co.uk
Royal Wootton Bassett Post Office is one of 25 Post Office branches across England chosen as recipients of a grant worth up to £10,000 from the Community Enterprise Fund for their outstanding plans to support local people and businesses, and to tackle isolation amongst the elderly.
Other schemes include providing free Wi-Fi access and IT training, and the creation of a walled garden where disabled community members can develop gardening skills. All of the schemes are not-for-profit, but which provide a service or activity which is easily accessible and open to all.
Over 99% of the population live within three miles of a Post Office, and so the Post Office is uniquely placed to support communities. In many communities across England, particularly those which are more rural, subpostmasters in Post Office branches already play an important role and go the extra mile to get involved in local activities and services.
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The Post Office serves over 17 million customers a week and a third of small businesses. Some 99.7% of the total population live within three miles of a post office and over 97% live with one mile of a post office. For many rural communities, the post office is the only retail outlet. Post Offices branches remain highly valued and trusted, and are the focal point of many communities. For more information, visit http://www.postoffice.co.uk/.
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