Charity launches Lewisham digital skills programme

Steve Bullock

Steve Bullock, speaking at the event Pic: Feride Sahin

Lewisham residents can improve their digital skills thanks to an innovative scheme being piloted in the borough.

The charity Go ON Lewisham, which works to develop digital skills for people and organisations across the UK, has chosen Lewisham for a 12-month trial of the project, which aims to reach those most in need in the community.

Rachel Neaman, CEO at Go ON UK said: “Our vision is to ensure that everybody has the basic digital skills that they need in today’s digital world. That’s why we decided to launch Go ON Lewisham.”

“Over the year we will be working to support a whole range of different groups. People who have been isolated, young people starting out at life, older people, families in poverty, small businesses and charities.”

 

Speakers and guests from the Lewisham area attended the launch in Catford and also had a chance to watch the Lewisham and Greenwich choir perform.

Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, attended the launch and said: “The reality is you can’t work today and do the things you need to do if you do not have access to basic digital skills, it would be difficult to find employment opportunities.”

“Amazing work is done by tiny charities, but again, they don’t have the ability to make the big hits. There are opportunities if they have the skills to do that.”

Martha Lane Fox , entrepreneur and Chair of Go ON UK said: “Lewisham and Croydon are the two areas in London where there are thousands of people who have not been online and get the benefits of being online. It’s important for us as individuals but also as us as a country.”

 

Go ON Lewisham are spreading the word about the scheme on Twitter under the hashtag #GoLewisham.

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