In a further boost to the 100% Digital York partnership, the Keeping Digital Foundation are opening their fourth Digital Cafe at the LNER Community Stadium in Huntington, an exciting new venue that has great facilities in making monthly face-to-face digital inclusion support even more accessible to York residents. 

 

The Digital Cafe network is being rolled out by the Keeping Digital Foundation across York, allowing residents to get dedicated support in getting online. People can come along, have a warm drink and get answers to their questions about all things digital and ask for advice about getting the most out of their digital devices. Volunteers will be on hand to help people get online, and support could be anything from setting up a smart phone to signing up to the NHS app or York Council website. No bookings are required, and people can stick around for a few minutes, or a couple of hours. 

 

The first York Stadium Digital Cafe will be held on 13 May 2023 10am-12pm. The York Stadium Digital Cafe will then happen on the second Saturday of every month with volunteers available to answer questions and provide dedicated workshops. Participants will also be offered advice on where they can access digital support outside of the café sessions. 

 

The Digital Cafe at York Stadium will become the most accessible service by the Keeping Digital Foundation, with the venue surrounded by car and cycle parking and directly served by numerous local bus services, including the popular Monks Cross Park & Ride.  

This new Digital Cafe, with even more to be announced throughout the year, is enabling the Keeping Digital Foundation to expand their volunteering opportunities. Sixth-form/college students and university students can sign up for a flexible volunteering role that will allow them to engage with their community and learn new skills. Training and support is provided, and people can register their interest to volunteer on the Keeping Digital Foundation website. 

 

A spokesperson at the Keeping Digital Foundation commented: 

“We're incredibly excited to launch this Digital Cafe at the heart of the York community, providing accessible digital inclusion support to many more York residents. With large amounts of services moving online, it’s important that residents are provided an option to gain the skills they need to make the most of digital and to get connected, whether that be finding out about local Council information or getting in touch with their GP via the NHS app. The York Stadium Digital Cafe is ideally placed with car and cycle parking available across the York Stadium Leisure Complex and Vangarde Shopping Park, in addition to numerous local bus services including a York Park & Ride site. This fourth Digital Cafe, with more to launch across the city of York, means these vital support services are more local to residents and makes getting support as easy and convenient as possible. Our volunteers will be available for a warm drink and a chat, and we really encourage residents to stop by and speak with them to find out more about how we can support them in getting online." 

 

Barbara Swinn, Head of Strategy and Engagement at Explore Libraries and Archives and lead partner for 100% Digital York said: “Digital Cafes are a great addition to the work already happening in the city to support people to build digital confidence, providing a relaxed, informal drop-in with a warm drink and friendly support in the heart of the community. This initiative will support the ambition of a digitally inclusive city for all.” 

 

There are already three Digital Cafes running at Tang Hall Explore Library, Sanderson House in Chapelfields, and St Wulstan in Heworth, with further locations set to appear across the city at Explore libraries and community centres. 

 

Find your nearest Digital Cafe through our interactive map on the Keeping Digital Foundation website.