In this issue...
Welcome to Members' News 6 April 2010
We’ve now reached April, which means that we have now begun our Smarter Government programme to get one million socially and digitally excluded people online by 2013. You can measure our progress via the clock on the Pass IT on website, which is counting myguide registrations - our measure of getting people online. The clock will be replicated across our new website when it launches, and we hope it will be a great tool for us to measure the important work we are doing together.
We've also launched some great new packages on myguide which will help us meet our targets to help people interact with the government online. You can read more about Online jobs and Online services below.
We're working hard on our new website, which will launch in April. Help is at Hand will move under the Centre partners tab of the main website, and will have lots of useful tools to help you get people online. We'll tell you more about our website in next week's newsletter.
Best wishes
Helen Milner
Managing Director, UK online centre
New myguide packages now live!
Our new packages on myguide have now launched! Online jobs and Online services are great next steps for learners who have completed Online basics, and who want to learn more. Online jobs will teach learners how to search and apply for jobs online, and Online services will show them how to save time, money and hassle by completing transactions online.
The Initial Assessment package includes the literacy and numeracy modules. It’s an excellent tool to assess your learners skills and direct them to further learning.
Why not try the new courses out now?
Face your online fears
Preparation for the Face your online fears campaign is now in full swing, and we’ve got some top names backing the campaign. Our celebrity ambassador will be Kim Woodburn, the star of How Clean is Your House who beat her own fears in the I’m a Celebrity jungle last year. Kim is an internet novice, and will be starting her journey with myguide in a UK online centre soon, before taking part in a number of media interviews to encourage people to get online
Terry Wogan will also be backing the Silver Surfers’ Campaign throughout May, and we’ve secured exciting media deals with the Daily Express and BBC Radio 2.
If you haven’t signed up to the campaign yet, why not do it now! As well as the wealth of media attention which will direct people to your centre, you’ll also receive a marketing pack which will help you brand your centre and promote yourself in the local area.
Pass IT on
Last week, we launched the Pass IT on campaign in conjunction with Race Online 2012. The campaign aims to encourage people to Pass IT on to their offline friends and family, and work with corporate partners to get them involved in getting people online.
There has been a great deal of media coverage over the past week, with Martha Lane Fox appearing on BBC Breakfast and 5 Live to promote the campaign. We have also had great support from our corporate partners, such as Skype and Google, who are also helping promote Pass IT on.
You can find out more about the campaign by visiting the website.
Event grants coming soon
This May we’re launching a range of grants for non-funded centres to support you to run events to encourage visitors to sign up to myguide. The grants will be launched in time for the Face your online fears campaign for Silver Surfers Day in May, and grants of up to £1,000 will be available, based on the number of myguide registrations your event gets. We will let you have more information on the event grants in the coming weeks.
myguide updates
We have updated a number of myguide courses to provide emailable certificates, as well as improving course performance. The courses that have been updated are Understanding public services online, Understanding job hunting online, Understanding shopping online and Understanding banking online.
Adult Learners Week
Adult Learners’ Week is taking place between the 15 and 21 May and can help support the work you will be doing in May for Face your online fears. You can register your event on the Adult Learners’ Week Events’ Diary as well as ordering the Event in a Box kit to supplement your Face your online fears marketing kit.
eWell-being awards - apply now!
If you haven’t applied yet, you still have until 9 April to apply for the Reaching the Digitally Excluded award at the eWell-being awards. The category is being sponsored by Race Online 2012 and we think it would be a great opportunity for you to gain recognition for the work your centre does.
Your Questions...
...answered
Q.
I've signed up to the Face your online fears campaign - when will I receive my marketing pack?
A.
You should receive your marketing pack in mid-April, in time to brand and promote your centre for the campaign launch in May.
What else is happening?
Face your online fears - throughout May
Silver Surfers' Day - Friday 21 May
NIACE Adult Learners' Week - 15 - 21 May
Get Online Week - 18 - 24 October