A NEW PROJECT being launched in Moray aims to reduce the skills gap between those in the community comfortable working with computers and those who are not.
Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) are behind ‘Forres Online’, established after a questionnaire circulated in the local community received 150 responses indicating a significant interest in digital training, use of social media and safe internet use.
Having gained sufficient funding to establish the pilot project, FACT will work in partnership with ReBoot and Living it Up to develop a programme of volunteer training, interactive classes and drop-in sessions.
Forres Online is part of a national initiative with funding being distributed through the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations. FACT Development Officer Frances Powell said: “This is an exciting project for the Forres area which forms part of a national network of learning.
“Digital skills are increasingly important to contact friends and family, learn about hobbies and interests, run small businesses, apply for jobs, and claim benefits. One in five adults in Scotland lack basic digital skills and Forres Online will contribute to reducing this skills gap.
“We warmly invite everyone interested in learning or teaching new digital skills to the launch event on Tuesday, August 18 at 2pm in the FACT Office.”
Ahead of the official launch the project – which is based at the FACT office at 1 Leask Road in Forres – will hold a mobile phone drop-in session on Friday, August 14 from 10am until 1pm.
The launch on August 18 will include short demonstrations and an opportunity for people to ask digital questions over refreshments.
Further information can be obtained by email to info@forresarea.org or by calling 01309 674388 or by calling in personally at 1 Leask Road between 10am and 1pm from Monday to Friday.