Riverside - Liverpool Landlord launches online training

30 November 2009

Social landlord Riverside is holding free computer sessions for residents to get a taste for internet and the benefits of web surfing.

Working in partnership with Everybody Online, Riverside has pledged £1,300 to pay for the taster sessions at the Tenants Resource Centre in Picton. Each session will have a theme, such as how to cut fuel bills online, Christmas shopping online or social networking. The remaining weekly sessions will be held on: Tuesday 8th December, 13:30-3:30 Monday 14th December, 10:30-12:30 Monday 21st December, 10:30-12:30 Riverside’s regeneration officer Stephen Chapman said: “People with little or no experience of computers may think the internet isn’t for them, but once they learn the skills and develop their self-confidence, the majority of people get hooked and find it really benefits their lives.” People who do not use the internet, either because of lack of skills and confidence, or access to computers are said to be digitally excluded – a situation that Riverside is tackling for a variety of reasons.

Its most recent tenant survey revealed that 71% of tenants do not have access to the internet at home – suggesting that social housing tenants are more likely to experience some form of digital exclusion.

Stephen added: “By tackling digital exclusion we are also helping to tackle financial exclusion and social exclusion. People without access to the internet are not only missing out on online discounts and savings, via price comparison sites, but also on social networking sites which enable them to keep in touch with friends and family at the click of a button.”

For more information about the computer sessions call 0845 111 0000.