Technology partnership reaps rewards for Birmingham residents

A partnership with a technology training provider has resulted in residents learning valuable IT skills.  

We have teamed up with AbilityNet – an organisation that supports anyone living with any disability or impairment to use technology to achieve their goals at home, at work and in education – to provide much needed accessibility services to our customers.  

West Midlands residents from sheltered housing schemes Sandham Grange, Robertson Knoll and Colbourne Court, a retirement living scheme in Pakenham House and a supported living scheme in Brunswick House, have all benefitted from a series of IT training courses that have increased confidence and developed digital skills.  

The sessions use a course called ‘Learn My Way’ which takes attendees through each step; the approach resulted in those attending learning the basics without feeling inadequate.  

Chris Pinson-Bradley, our Community Engagement Manager said: “In a world where digital skills are so important, it can be unnerving for those who feel they do not possess the right level of skills to navigate the digital world.  That is why courses like these are so important, to build not only knowledge but confidence too.  We are really proud of all those who have taken part.”  

The sessions were run by Community Engagement Officer Deborah Jones and Platform customer Les Barrett; Les – who won the Involved Customer Award category in Platform’s 2024 Community Heroes Awards – has been helping customers at retirement housing schemes Sandham Grange and Robertson Knoll with their digital skills for a number of years.  Not only does he help develop IT skills, he continues to show a genuine passion and real interest in nurturing confidence.  

Examples of what attendees learn include how to sign up to GP surgeries, access the NHS app and create household budget sheets.  

All attendees received a certificate on the successful completion of the course. 

Robertson Knoll resident Robert Turner said: “I had never touched a computer before I started the course.  Now I can use my own iPad for a range of things and my confidence has really grown.  The course was really useful and I would like to thank Platform for organising it.”  

AbilityNet provide essential items such as Chromebooks and WiFi units.    

Photo caption : Robertson Knoll resident Robert Turner with his certificate