NW unionlearn is a partner in the Liverpool “Mi (More Independence) Project”, a health funded project to help people access technology to take more control of their own health care. ‘Mi’ is the Liverpool-based partnership led by NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group that’s empowering thousands of people to live a safe, healthy life and keep hold of their independence by making technology and services more available and more affordable.

Unionlearn was asked to set up 50 digital hubs across Liverpool, and train 200 Digital Champions, and benefit over 2000 learners, in 24 months, from the summer of 2013. Unionlearn reached these targets in 12 months, and this project is now going on to benefit a lot of other people, helping over 3000 people to get online so far. The project has set up or helped to develop hubs in TU workplace learning centres and in voluntary organisations across Liverpool. Their nature means that they reach some of the most digitally-disadvantaged groups including many older people, carers, women, and members of the BAME community. Over two-thirds of beneficiaries so far are women, and a third from BAME community. Most are not in paid work.

One of the learners helped by unionlearn’s digital project is Titus Fasawe, aged 78, a retired vet, originally from Nigeria. Titus is now mastering the skills of the cyberworld, thanks to support from the TUC’s More Independent (Mi) Digital Hubs. Titus accessed his IT training at Granby Toxteth Development Trust, near his home in Liverpool 8 - and his freshly acquired skills have opened up a whole new world.

The retired vet said:

My son had bought me a computer, but I didn’t know how to use it. I decided to go along and see what it was like  - I had no idea what to expect, but from the minute I walked through the door, I felt comfortable and welcome. The volunteers taught me all the basics, and I learned at my own pace - any questions I had, they went out of their way to explain. Now I am not an expert - but I can do things like my utilities online. It’s also allowed me to connect with friends and family from all over the world using email. I’m still learning, and the next challenge is online banking and shopping!”

Grandad Titus sadly lost his wife last year - and the hub has also given him new focus, and a way to make new friends. He says:

Everyone there is so warm. I look forward to going three mornings a week, and having a good chat and a laugh. It’s been a wonderful way to meet people in my community, and I’d encourage anyone to give it a go - it doesn’t matter how old you are, or what kind of education you have, they are there to help. It is always daunting going in to new places and learning new things - but the hub could not be friendlier or more supportive.”

Tara Jussa is a Digital Champion at Granby Toxteth Development Trust. She says:

The digital age brings many benefits, and they should be accessible to all. Titus is a wonderful example of how you can learn to get online at any age and by coming to our hub, Titus has been able gain online skills, within a friendly and supportive environment. Through hubs like ours, the work towards reducing the digital divide will continue and this will allow many more people to gain digital skills, make new friends, become less isolated and more active in their communities.”

Unionlearn Digital Hubs have benefitted over 3200 people across city since the project began in autumn 2013. We have trained over 300 digital champions specifically for this project across the 50 hubs. GTDT itself has had around 340 beneficiaries, who have been helped to get online and / or develop their IT skills in this time.

Like several of the hubs, GTDT have been doing this work for many years, but the unionlearn digital project has given additional capacity in terms of extra IT kit, training for Digital Champions and management support from TUC. Others of the hubs have only been doing this work since unionlearn input enabled them to set up.

The hubs are listed on the Liverpool ‘Live well’ website: http://www.livewellliverpool.info/. Some are for staff in workplaces or residents of particular social landlords and so are not open to the general public; they are promoted in their own organisations to the potential users there.

Contact Kath Dawson or Laura Robertson-Collins at NW unionlearn for further information.