Access to Devices - Where can you borrow a device from?

If you don't have access to your own device at home there a lots of ways you may be able to borrow a device. Please see the list below for an outline of some of the ways you may be able to access a device that you can use at home, along with any criteria you need to meet.

• Via Libraries - Vale Tablet Loan Scheme
  Tablets can be loaned from all library branches in the Vale, including community libraries for free. The tablets all come pre-loaded with 4G data, this means that users do not need their own internet connection at home in order to access websites and online services with the devices. To access these devices you must:

  • Be a member of your local library

   

  Vale Tablet Loan Scheme

   

• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Digital Support

  The government can provide laptops and digital support  as part of their unemployment strategy to aid/enable job search that will make being out of work a more virtual experience. To find out more please speak to your Work Coach. You can contact the Barry and Penarth Job Centre on 0800 1690 190.

   

   

   DWP Digital Support

   

• Communities For Work

  Chromebooks can be loaned from Communities For Work. To loan a device you must:

   

   

   

  • Be registered with Communities For Work

  • Be referred by your Communities For Work Mentor

   

  Communities For Work

• Adult Education - Get Back on Track

  Laptops can be loaned by learners from the Adult Community Learning Get Back on Track programme. Back On Track Courses are free to anyone who is either not currently in education, employment or training, who is in receipt of state benefits (excluding retirement pension), who is looking for work or seeking better employment opportunities, or  has a level 2 qualification or below . To borrow a device you must:

   

   

  • Be enrolled onto Get Back on Track courses

   

   

  Get Back on Track

   

• Vale Homes

  Vale Homes operate a tablet/laptop loan schemes for residents who are involved in their tenant participation (TP) activities. In the coming months this scheme will also be offered to residents in our sheltered schemes. Anyone who is a Vale Homes resident and is not involved in TP activities or do not live in the sheltered schemes, will be supported by the team to access the Vale Tablet Loan Scheme. To borrow a device from Vale Homes you must:

   

   

  • Be a Vale Homes tenant and:

  • Be involved in tenant participation activities or live in a sheltered housing scheme

   

  Vale Homes

   

Access to Support - Where can you get support from?

There are a number of free online resources available to help build your confidence and skills online and with your device through easy to follow videos and quick guides.

• Learn My Way

  Learn how to use the internet with Learn My Way. Learn My Way has free courses for you to learn digital skills to stay safe and connected.

   

  Learn My Way

   

• Make It Click

  Make It Click features free courses, tools and templates. You can learn new apps, improve the skills you already have and take a positive step forward in your work.

   

  Make It Click

   

•  Digital Unite

  The award-winning range of 400+ how-to guides covers a whole host of digital topics. Written by subject matter experts and updated daily, the guides are perfect for supporting others with digital skills or improving your own knowledge. 

   

  Digital Unite

•  Digital Communities Wales

  Digital Communities Wales: Digital Confidence, Health and Well-being (DCW) exists to reduce digital exclusion in Wales. We want a Wales where everyone has the skills, access and motivation to be a confident user of digital technology. DCW provides free support for organisations to ensure staff and volunteers have the confidence and skills to support others to get online.  For more information please contact Conor at conor.chipp@cwmpas.coop 

   

  DCW have created a free Training Resources Hub for a range of uses and needs. Learn where to get started, how to operate safely online and even where to inspire others.

   

  Digital Communities Wales

•  Via Newydd - Digital Inclusion Google Classroom

  The Digital Inclusion Google Classroom provides online support and is used to develop confidence and capability around topics including ‘Understanding your android device’, ‘Understanding your iPhone and iPad’, ‘Social networking and online communication’, ‘Digital skills in the modern workplace’, ‘Digital Health’, ‘Government services’, ‘Smart speakers and voice assistants’, and ‘Hobbies and interests’. To join simply log into Google Classroom using your Google account credentials, click ‘+’ icon located at the top right of your screen and select ‘Join Class’ and enter class code: qp4dgmc 

   

  Digital Inclusion Google Classroom

• Clarion Housing

  Clarion Housing can help you set up a new smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer. Help includes technical support for things like setting up an email account, connecting to WiFi and staying safe online. Clarion Housing also have volunteer digital champions that can help you to build your confidence with technology and the internet.

   

  Clarion Housing

•  Vale of Glamorgan Adult Education

  The Get Back on Track Programme offers a wide range of accredited computer workshops and courses for learners of all levels from complete beginners to advanced. To enrol please contact Palmerston Community Learning Centre on 01446 733762 or email: palmerstoncentre@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk 

   

  Vale Adult Education

•  AbilityNet

  AbilityNet work to change the lives of older and disabled people by helping them to use digital technology.  As well as diagnosing and fixing most computer related problems, volunteers can help with sending and receiving emails, using the internet, installing new hardware and software, giving impartial advice on IT equipment and software and adjusting the technology to suit the individual. The free helpline 0800 048 7642 is available for advice and information. 

   

  AbilityNet

•  Digital Champions

  A Digital Champion is someone who helps others with their computer, tablet, phone or any other device they use to connect to the internet. To get support from a local Digital Champion please email jenny.phillips@wales.coop. If you would like to become a Digital Champion yourself please see the Digital Champions section further down the page.

   

  Digital Champions

•  Vale Homes

  If you are a Vale Homes resident and need support to get online please contact the Community Investment team on 07826020707 or 07813068324.

   

  Are you a council tenant looking to get better at using your laptop or smartphone? Do you want to be able to produce documents like CVs? Would you like to brush up on your computer skills to improve your chances of finding work? Our digital champions can help.  There is a regular session on Mondays at the Aberaeron Hub in Gibbonsdown, as well as monthly sessions in our sheltered schemes for over 55s. Contact valecomminfo@gmail.com for more information. 

   

  Vale Homes

Help Staying Online This Winter

O2 are giving away free data sim cards this winter through their ‘O2 Christmas Sim Card’ offer to help people stay connected. You can request a voucher to receive 7GB of O2 Pay as You Go data for free on their website here.

If you’re not with o2 there’s still an opportunity for you to access the offer on their website by ordering a free Pay As You Go sim card, once you have the sim card you can request a free 7GB voucher. More information can be found on the O2 website.

Free Vale WiFi

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has recently upgraded to a new wireless guest network across all of its buildings including libraries and residential homes. 

Accessing the network is incredibly easy, simply select the wireless SSID ‘Vale free Wifi’, open your internet browser and you'll will be redirected to a splash page.

Free Vale WiFi

National Devices Bank

The National Devices Bank is an alternative solution to IT asset disposal that tackles e-waste whilst supporting people who are digitally excluded. The National Device Bank accepts used IT equipment and devices from organisations of any size and sector – it’s a secure, sustainable and socially responsible solution for corporate electronic waste.

National Devices Bank

Digital Champions

A Digital Champion is someone who helps others with their computer, tablet, phone or any other device they use to connect to the internet. You may already be the Digital Champion for your family or group of friends and may have a little time to help others in your community.  With 12% of people not online in the Vale we are doing what we can to make sure people are not left behind in an increasingly digital world.

To be a Digital Champion:

• You must have good, basic computer skills.
• You will be confident using the internet.
• You are enthusiastic about the things the internet can do to make life easier, more enjoyable and save money.
• You have patience and an eagerness to support people who are new to the internet (showing people that computers aren’t something to be scared of!).
• You should be willing to travel within the Vale of Glamorgan for training (although we will keep this to a minimum).

• Who can be a Champion?
  Anyone who is confident using the internet and who is able to make a commitment, large or small, to help people get online can become a champion.
• What will you get as a Digital Champion? 

  This is a volunteer role, so you can be flexible in when you are available. Based at one of our  libraries or community hubs you will meet new people and provide valuable assistance.

   

  Apart from getting satisfaction at helping others learn some of the most important skills on the planet, you can also add something invaluable to your CV. Or maybe you simply love working with technology and get inspired showing others the best of the internet.

   

  You will also have the opportunity to learn new skills yourself. If you’re looking for work, this is a great way to gain experience.

• Who will you be helping?

  Most people you will be helping may not have used a computer before or, if they have, they are likely to still have questions. Some might want to know the basics, some will have questions about the internet, and some will be looking for assistance with completing forms online.

   

  You will also be offered the opportunity to support a number of events within community settings.

If you would like to find out more information about being a Digital Champion please visit Digital Communities Wales. 

Become a Digital Champion