A specially trained ‘digital dozen’ team of volunteers are ready to help you claim Universal Credit and manage your claims online.
The volunteers are part of a group of over 75 Digital Champions who help and support people in the local community to use the internet and gain online skills.
Around 21% of people are not confident using the internet – that’s around 150,000 people across Dorset, and 70,000 of these have never been online. All Universal Credit claims and most job applications are now online.
Dugald Lockhart, Programme Manager, Superfast Dorset said: “Working with colleagues in Dorset Council’s benefits team and Citizens Advice we have trained up this new team with specialist skills. Tell your friends and family if you think they would be interested and book now.”
Digital Champions providing support with general digital skills and Universal Credit are based in:
• Beaminster
• Cerne Abbas
• Dorchester
• Gillingham
• Shaftesbury
• Verwood
• Weymouth
• Wimborne
Dedicated Universal Credit support and help to get back to work (CV, job search, company research) at:
• Job Centre Plus, Weymouth – (Mondays 10am – 12 noon)
• Job Club Bridport – Skills and Learning (within Bridport Children’s Centre) (Fridays 9.30 – 12.30)
• Dorchester Library – working alongside Citizens Advice (Wednesdays 10.00 – 12.00)
We are looking for more volunteers in Poole, Blandford, Wareham and Swanage. If you have good people and IT skills, patience and a desire to help people then we are waiting to hear from you. Travel expenses are paid.
Digital Champions can help with laptops, tablets, phones or smartphones. Come along with or without your device to get started. Call 01305 221048 or visit your local library to book.
