Third Digital Cafe to open at St Wulstan's to bring digital inclusion support to Heworth

The Keeping Digital Foundation, North Yorkshire’s leading digital inclusion charitable organisation, are excited to announce the third ‘Digital Cafe’ to open across the city of York.

The Keeping Digital Foundation, North Yorkshire’s leading digital inclusion charitable organisation, are excited to announce the third ‘Digital Cafe’ to open across the city of York.

In partnership with 100% Digital York, and with thanks to City of York Council ward funding, the Keeping Digital Foundation are opening their third Digital Cafe at St Wulstan's Church in Heworth, bringing monthly face-to-face digital inclusion support to Heworth residents.

The Digital Cafe network is being rolled out by the Keeping Digital Foundation across York, allowing residents to get dedicated support in getting online. People can come along, have a warm drink and get answers to their questions about all things digital and ask for advice about getting the most out of their digital devices. Volunteers will be on hand to help people get online, and support could be anything from setting up a smart phone to signing up to the NHS app or York Council website. No bookings are required, and people can stick around for a few minutes, or a couple of hours.

There are already two Digital Cafes running at Tang Hall Explore Library and Sanderson House in Chapelfields, with further locations set to appear across the city at Explore libraries and community centres.

The first St Wulstan Digital Cafe will be held on 25 April 2023 2pm-4pm. The St Wulstan Digital Cafe will then happen on the last Tuesday of every month with volunteers available to answer questions and provide dedicated workshops. Participants will also be offered advice on where they can access digital support outside of the café sessions.

This new Digital Cafe, with even more to be announced throughout the year, is enabling the Keeping Digital Foundation to expand their volunteering opportunities. Sixth-form/college students and university students can sign up for a flexible volunteering role that will allow them to engage with their community and learn new skills. Training and support is provided, and people can register their interest to volunteer on the Keeping Digital Foundation website.

A spokesperson at the Keeping Digital Foundation commented:

“This new Digital Cafe is a great addition to our support services in York that are dedicated to providing digital inclusion support to residents. With large amounts of services moving online, it’s important that residents are provided an option to gain the skills they need to make the most of digital and to get connected, whether that be finding out about local Council information or getting in touch with their GP via the NHS app. Our volunteers will be available for a warm drink and a chat, and we really encourage residents to stop by and speak with them to find out more about how we can support them in getting online. This third Digital Cafe, with more to launch across the city of York, means these vital support services are more local to residents and makes getting support as easy and convenient as possible. We also thank the City of York Council and the Heworth Ward for seeing value in the Digital Cafe network and providing local ward funding to make these support services local to their residents.”

Barbara Swinn, Head of Strategy and Engagement at Explore Libraries and Archives and lead partner for 100% Digital York said:

“Digital Cafes are a great addition to the work already happening in the city to support people to build digital confidence, providing a relaxed, informal drop-in with a warm drink and friendly support in the heart of the community. This initiative will support the ambition of a digitally inclusive city for all.”

Find out more about the Digital Cafes on the Keeping Digital Foundation website.