Bournville Village Trust will launch the free sessions this Thursday (19th May) at the Bournville Community Hub on Sycamore Road opposite the Village Green. The weekly sessions, run by the Goodwill Network, come after a survey by the Trust revealed that 72% of respondents don’t know how to use the internet.

Just under half of the 178 tenants in Birmingham who completed the survey also said that they didn’t have access to the internet at home. Jessica Allan, Community Development Manager at Bournville Village Trust, said: “Digital exclusion isn’t just an issue in Bournville, according to Age UK there are millions of older people across the UK who are digitally excluded.

“This means they’re missing out on all the benefits of being able to access services online, including saving money and keeping in touch with family and friends. Our new drop-in sessions will offer friendly support ranging from the basics of how to set up an email account to getting the most out of devices such as mobile phones. We’d encourage anyone living in the Village or nearby who would like support and advice to drop-in and find out more.”

The drop-in sessions will run every Thursday from 10am to 12pm until 21st July 2016 and are part of Bournville Village Trust’s Let’s Get Digital campaign.

The campaign, launched in January, aims to help residents recognise the benefits of getting online and boost confidence in using digital technology. Joyce Stone, who lives in Bournville, is one resident who has taken up the offer of support. The 86-year-old said: “The best thing I did was take the first step towards training. Don’t miss out just because you are an older resident, overcome your fears because technology can change your life.”

For more information about the drop-in sessions, or the Let’s Get Digital campaign, contact Jessica Allan from Bournville Village Trust on 0300 333 6540.

Bournville Village Trust is a charity and housing organisation founded by chocolate maker and philanthropist George Cadbury in 1900.