At Community Online, we’re passionate about giving people the skills they need to survive and prosper in today’s digital world.
This isn’t about upskilling people so they can stay at home behind a computer screen. Far from it.
Our ethos is about extending an arm to those who need it in our communities, and helping them to improve their lives; whether socially, domestically, or in employment.
We believe a digital skill set opens the door to these improvements, and is somewhere to start, but not necessarily somewhere to finish.
That’s why we’re a community interest company (CIC) aimed at helping people, not shareholders. And our face-to-face teaching approach is utilised in the community, for the community.
Our Origins
Our team has almost 15 years of voluntary sector experience, running a successful community organisation from Slough since 2007.
It has provided health and cultural activities to more than 10,000 people in that time, including ethnic minorities and the elderly, and won a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2015.
But when the coronavirus pandemic struck the UK in March, 2020, the organisation was forced to put all of its activities online.
Our team leaders soon realised that many regulars had become unable to participate anymore – or properly – suffering from a lack of digital skills and related confidence.
There was also a heightened fear of technology during this time, especially for those who were starting from zero, or had only used the organisation’s social media channels occasionally.
The team did its best to help people adjust during the lockdown, and households with younger family members were able to get their older relatives online. This meant that activities still received a high level of engagement.
However, this clear lack of independence – with regard to digital skills – stuck with the team, and they wanted to do something about it.
As a result, Community Online was born in 2021!
Our aims
Reduce the digital skills gap in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire
Provide the community with access to the internet and digital devices
Motivate and increase people’s confidence and understanding of digital skills
Reduce people’s dependency on others to meet their digital or technological needs
