Argos Partners With Charity To Bring Free Tablets To UK
Retailer Argos has partnered up with digital skills charity Go ON UK to bring 10,000 free tablets and broadband workshops to the UK.
The aim of the new scheme is to provide practical skills, access and technology to 9.5m citizens in the country who are not yet online.
Specially trained Argos employees will help groups of people learn the basics of using a tablet, how to connect to and surf the Internet, how to use a search engine, set up email and stay safe online.
Workshops are open to 10,000 adults in the UK who lack digital skills will be held in 120 participating stores at a cost of £20 per person.
Those who attend will receive a tablet device and voucher for a year’s free broadband with Internet Service Provider (ISP) TalkTalk.
“As many areas of everyday life become ‘digital by default’ and a number of government and business services become accessible only online, we need to ensure that everyone has the digital skills needed to participate in our evolving digital age,” claimed Martha Lane-Fox, Go ON UK chair.
“Access, affordability and skills have all been cited as key barriers to bringing people online and this fantastic initiative from Argos is exactly the type of programme we need to help people become more confident with technology,” she added.
The sessions were developed following research which claims to have found the number of adults using tablets specifically has doubled year on year.
Workshops begin at the end of this month, from 25th October to mid-January 2015.
“The digital revolution continues apace, however millions remain on the side-lines,” claimed Home Retail Group, owners of Argos, CEO John Walden.
“Argos Internet Workshops have been developed to help people overcome the barriers of access and affordability and improve their knowledge, understanding and confidence in digital,” he added.
Launch Ties In With Get Online Week
The launch of the sessions coincides with the start of the Tinder Foundation’s Get Online Week from the 13th-19th October.
The Foundation is a not-for-profit aiming to make positive developments with digital technology, while its Get Online Week is an annual event that sees numerous events held to inspire people to get online and see what the Internet could do for them.
“With 9.5 million people in the UK without online basic skills, it is fantastic to see such a commitment from Argos to support people in improving their skills during Get Online Week,” claimed the organisation’s chief executive Helen Milner.
“These events are just some of the thousands happening within communities all over the country where people can find ongoing support to improve their digital skills,” she added.
© 24N.biz
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