PILOT Project Offers Digital Needs Helpline For Inverclyde Residents

A SERVICE to support the Inverclyde community with their digital needs is being launched.

CVS Inverclyde (CVSI) is providing DIAL: Digital Information Assistance and Learning over the next two months.

Inverclyde residents can call the support phone number 01475 866151 which will operate Monday to Thursday, 2 to 5pm; and Friday, 9am to 4pm until the end of May.

The pilot project is funded by Communities Recovery Fund.

CVSI is looking for volunteers to help run DIAL. Volunteers don’t need specific qualifications — just confidence in their day-to-day digital skills and enthusiasm to help others learn.

CVSI chief executive Charlene Elliott, said: “The pandemic has meant a rapid shift to online and digital services and resources, but many people in our communities are not confident with their digital knowledge and skills so they are missing out on essential services.

“We are really excited to launch this digital support service and we’re proud that CVSI is helping the Inverclyde community and third sector to come together in such a practical way.”

CVSI is working alongside Connecting Scotland and their Digital Champions initiative which involves a number of local organisations distributing Chromebook devices and prepaid internet connections to help individuals build up every day digital skills such as logging onto the internet, searching for information, and using social media.

DIAL will boost this initiative by providing advice by phone so individuals don’t have to use a computer or attend a workshop.

Those interested in volunteering can apply online via Volunteer Inverclyde.