Tinder Foundation enables digital access for all
Sheffield, UK (PRWEB UK) 31 March 2014 -- -Free technology and broadband selection tool available for all
-More than 50 specialised UK online centres across UK
-20 technology showrooms established
-Personalised technology advice sessions available
Tinder Foundation, a not-for-profit social enterprise that makes good things happen through digital technology, has launched a brand new tool to help people buy technology and get connected at home. The Set-up Essentials Tool, which is free through Tinder’s Learn My Way eLearning platform, helps people to find out what PCs, laptops and tablets are right for them by answering a few quick questions. They can also get some handy help and advice on getting connected at home.
The lack of internet access and a perception that costs are too high are often huge barriers facing people getting online or using the internet regularly. The tool addresses this, providing guidance appropriate to a person’s needs and equipping them with the technology know-how to go out at get connected in their own home.
Frank Jordan from Saltburn commented: "I have been to try things in the shops three times now and each time I just left feeling frustrated. Yes I tried a few things but I was shown kit and software I know I will never use. The Set-Up Essentials Tool from Tinder Foundation let me say what I do, how often and where, which gave me the answers I needed to get the technology I needed."
The online tool is available anywhere you can get online, with no membership or subscription needed. In addition, people can access more than 50 of Tinder Foundation’s centres across the country, part of its new Home Access network. Each centre has trained staff to support people to find the right technology or broadband connection so they can get online at home. 20 centres have also received funding to set up showrooms within their centres, for a more hands on experience, and they each run personalised advice sessions. Further help and support is also available at 5,000 centres with the UK online centres network, where people can improve their digital skills and get online for the first time, including through the Set-Up Essentials Tool.
Helen Milner, chief executive, Tinder Foundation, says: “If anyone is looking to buy a computer, laptop or tablet – or to get connected at home – but doesn’t know where to start, this tool will provide essential help and support. Learners can even try out some of the kit first hand.”
The Set-up Essentials Tool on Learn My Way asks a few simple questions to determine the best technology and broadband fit for a learner’s lifestyle, such as what are they looking to do, and where they’ll want to get online. It will even provide a personalised recommendation which can be printed and taken to the shop.
Mr & Mrs Haynes from Saltburn commented: "We knew we needed something but where do you start? The toolkit let us work out just what we did know we wanted, we can sort the rest out later."
Helen continues: “We are committed to helping the 11 million UK citizens without digital skills to not only get these skills, but also to understand what they need in the home to get connected. Having access to the internet is a key barrier to people getting online and gaining digital skills, so it’s really important we tackle it to ensure we can become a fully digitally included nation."
Learner success:
• "The tools were easy to use and gave enough detail without being too technical." (Learner, Lincs Training)
• "I like to have a printed paper to look back at and found the results of the tool to be very useful. I have used them to remind me about different technical terms I have forgotten." (Learner, Lincs Training)
• "The tool was very good and at a level I understood along with excellent staff support." (Learner, MFS Centre, Liverpool)
Note to Editors
As part of a pilot funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Tinder Foundation has launched a new Home Access network to add to its existing specialist networks. The Home Access network is made up of over 50 centres who will be able to support learners to find the right kit or connection so they can get online at home. A small number of these centres will also act as ‘showrooms’, where learners can try out some of the new technology for themselves.
To support the new network, Tinder Foundation has launched a brand new tool on Learn My Way, which is available to all centres. The Set-up Essentials Tool will help learners to find out what’s right for them by answering a few quick questions, and they can also get some handy help and advice on getting connected at home.
Tinder Foundation is a not-for-profit social enterprise that makes good things happen through digital technology. Established in December 2011 as a staff-owned mutual, Tinder Foundation supports the 5,000 strong network of hyper-local UK online centres, and works with hundreds of national organisations from government departments to charities and large corporations - making sure technology makes more good things happen for more people.
Just visit http://www.ukonlinecentres.com/centresearch and look for the Home Access icon, or call 0800 77 1234, to find a Home Access centre near you.
http://www.tinderfoundation.org
Kirsten Grimmer, MantisPR, +44 7809-338-858, [email protected]
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