One hundred people in Weymouth and Portland can learn how to get online thanks to a new project run by a local trust. 

Weymouth Area Development Trust and Dorset County Council have launched the new initiative, named ‘Connecting People Weymouth’, aimed at teaching people basic digital skills. 

Volunteer digital champions are now urged to get involved and help run digital sessions in Melcombe Regis, Underhill, Westham and Littlemoor.

More than a fifth of adults nationally lack the five basic digital skills and around half of those have never been online at all. This means people miss out on useful internet services such as finding money-saving deals for utilities to applying for jobs or benefits. 

Connecting People Weymouth, funded by Awards for All, will recruit, train and support 24 volunteers to help people learn the basic skills they need to benefit from the internet.

From spring next year, people living in the four key areas will have the chance to learn skills such as how to find health information online, keep in touch with family and friends, set up email accounts or tablets, save money by shopping online and more.

Chris Wilson, of the Weymouth Area Development Trust, says: “Some people are having a tough time in our town. 

“To miss out on a job or a home because you don’t have the skills to get online safely is heart-breaking. Generous people with those skills who volunteer can make a huge difference to their neighbours’ lives. We are grateful to Awards for All for giving us the resource to make this happen.”

Deborah Croney, cabinet member for economy, education, learning and skills at Dorset County Council, said: “Dorset’s digital champions are changing lives across Dorset by giving people essential life skills. 

“This opportunity to work with Weymouth Area Development Trust will enable us to work intensively in a part of the county where we know we can make a big difference.”

Community groups will be able to refer people for the scheme.

More information is available at chriswilson@wadt.org.uk.