September Summary
The Digital Kent team has been so busy throughout September out in the community, and we would love to share a summary of what we've been up to!
Teams Training with North Kent Mind
Engagement Officers Jake Huggett and Sophie Mackenzie have partnered with North Kent Mind to deliver a series of Microsoft Teams training sessions. They ran 3 sessions over the course of a week, covering topics including:
- Changing picture, status etc
- Look at all teams chat functions
- Applying backgrounds, recording, transcripts, sharing screens, and taking control
- Creating a meeting using Teams
- Creating a team and teams channels
- Creating and formatting posts in teams channel
- Uploading and using shared documents in teams
- Activity feed
- Whiteboard
- Breakout rooms
- Creating MS forms
- Creating polls, quizzes etc
- Creating MS teams logs
Knowledge of Teams can be invaluable for anyone wishing to access employment, which is often key to wellbeing and mental health. We hope this work will support and upskill the passionate people we worked with.
Microsoft in Tonbridge and Malling
We love to hear the uses people are making of the laptops provided by our Hardware Access Scheme, and our Engagement Officer Brooke Ardley saw this first hand when she helped a recipient of our scheme set up her new laptop. They were able to create a Microsoft account, including setting up her own email and creating a strong complex password to make sure she stays safe online.
Brooke ascertained the recipient may need further support for her digital skills, and we hope to help her even further with our Digital Support Scheme!
Support for Homeless in Maidstone
It can be hard to reach vulnerable groups of people, particularly the homeless, and so Digital Kent has been getting involved with Maidstone Homeless Centre. They do amazing work for the homeless people within Maidstone, and Digital Kent will be delivering digital skills support to the people that walk through their doors. This support will include how to apply for job training, CV writing and much more.
Advance to Work in Tonbridge and Malling
Engagement Officer Brooke Ardley attended an Advance to Work event with partners in the Tonbridge and Malling area. The event was hosted by the Tonbridge DWP, with attendees coming from all across West Kent. This project was set up to help those with a disability or health condition move closer to work, and to give advice about what support is available to them within their community. Brooke met many new people and was able to offer digital skills advice to those who needed it. She referred some into the Hardware Access Scheme to bring them closer to being digitally included, no matter their ability. We have taken some into our Digital Support Scheme to offer longer term digital skills help, which will have a positive and long-term impact on their wellbeing.
KARF in Gravesend
Engagement Officers Jake Huggett and Brooke Ardley went out to Gravesend’s Kent Active Retirement Fellowship (KARF) group to speak to retired KCC employees in the area. Jake and Brooke had a fantastic day telling residents about the great projects Digital Kent has, following up with an internet safety session and ending with valuable 1-2-1 support to answer any questions about all things digital. We look forward to working with this fantastic group in the future!
University of Kent Freshers Fair
Digital Kent came out to offer opportunities and support to the freshers newly attending the University of Kent. We were there promoting our Digital Champions Network, offering volunteering opportunities to young people to grow their skills and CV, while also offering support to those who may need it. It was a very successful couple of days, and we have welcomed many new Digital Champions to support Kent residents! Digital exclusion and poverty isn't going anywhere, and so if we want to see projects such as Digital Kent continue and be sustainable into the future then we must look to passionate young people such as these.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
