Free digital support clinic helps Whaley Bridge residents gain confidence with technology
The clinic offers friendly, one-to-one support for anyone who would like help using digital technology.
Whaley Bridge Coworkers have teamed up with the Glossop-based charity PC Refurb to provide a free monthly digital support clinic in the heart of Whaley Bridge.
Held on the first Thursday of every month from 10am to 1pm at the coworking space on Old Road, the clinic offers friendly, one-to-one support for anyone who would like help using digital technology.
Whether you're completely new to smartphones and tablets or simply struggling with a specific problem, Suzanne and her team of volunteers are on hand to help.
Parents looking for advice about online safety and parental controls can also get practical guidance on managing what children can access online.
Many people will recognise the experience of asking a younger family member for help with a device, only for them to tap furiously at the screen for a few seconds and hand it back saying, "There you go, it's fixed." While helpful, it doesn't always leave you any wiser about how to do it yourself next time.
That's where the PC Refurb team takes a different approach. Their aim is to help people become more confident and independent with technology. Over a cup of tea and a biscuit, volunteers take the time to explain things step by step, making sure visitors understand what they're doing and why.
No question is too small and there's never any judgement. Recent visitors have asked for help with:
Spotting scam emails, texts and phishing attempts, and learning how to block them.
Setting up and using spreadsheets.
Organising digital photographs.
Downloading and using local apps, including parking apps.
Video calling family and friends.
Shopping safely online.
The clinic also helps people adapt technology to suit changing needs. Recently, volunteers worked with a local resident experiencing deteriorating eyesight, helping her set up voice controls and accessibility features on her iPad.
The changes allowed her to continue using the device comfortably and independently, giving her a significant boost in confidence.