The current crisis and restrictions force everyone to rely on technology more than ever.
Staying connected and in touch with family, placing orders for food and prescriptions, communicating with local community groups via apps and emails require basic ‘tech savvy’ skills.
This creates the need of tackling the 'Digital Divide’ and providing everyone with essential skills to enjoy the benefits of life online.
We, the University of Essex Students' Union Volunteering Department call out all students and staff members that could help us challenge the Digital Divide and share their IT skills to help others. We have partnered with the Citizens UK and Colchester Methodists to create a network of ‘Tech Champions' and those with no or very little knowledge to engage with the world in a new way - to become a part of Online World.
Professor Lorna Fox O'Mahony, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “This is another great initiative from our Students’ Union VTeam. We’re so proud of our staff and student volunteers and what they have achieved in recent weeks – delivering food, volunteering at local foodbanks and helping to create community networks that protect the most vulnerable. I hope this new programme will support and empower people in our community in this difficult time.”
We can’t make any bridge without you; you are the key part of making this happen.
If you want more information, please get in touch via vteam@essex.ac.uk