Digital programme celebrates 3,000th customer milestone

  • 10th January 2022

  • Customers

A Black Country project that is supporting people to get online has hit its 3,000th customer milestone.

The Black Country Click Start programme, which is managed  by whg, has been helping households increase their digital and financial skills since 2017.

The programme is aimed at unemployed and economically inactive people who need to make the most of the internet to manage their money and find training, volunteering or employment opportunities.

The programme is part of the Building Better Opportunities programme funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and the European Social Fund and delivered across the Black Country. The programme was originally funded for three years and has been extended for an additional four due to its success.

Dale Stewart, Black Country Click Start Project Manager, said: “Having digital skills and being able to use the internet are really important and help people to access information, opportunities and services as well as being able to connect with friends and family – even more so through the pandemic.

“We have been able to continue providing this programme to those in greatest need when everything suddenly went online. The programme has made an enormous difference to families and individuals across the Black Country and we are thrilled to have supported over 3,000 participants so far.”

Participant Matthew said: “Click Start restarted my life after being made redundant. I now wonder how I coped in the past without digital skills.

“Until completing the programme computers were my stumbling block and I got frustrated every time I tried to use one. But now I feel far less excluded and really enjoy using my new skills.”

The programme is project managed by whg and delivered in partnership with GreenSquareAccord, Black Country Housing Group, Citizens Advice Bureau Sandwell and Walsall, Walsall College, and Wolverhampton Homes.

For help with digital or financial skills, or to refer someone for support, please ring 07595 091676 or 07740 759722, or email clickstartbc@whgrp.co.uk

 

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