Halifax to helpget people online

Halifax has teamed up with the Society of Chief Librarians in a pioneering partnership to help the almost six million UK adults who have never used the internet to get online.

Over 2,000 members of staff at the company, which is part of the Lloyds Banking Group, which employs around 6,000 staff in Calderdale, have pledged to be Digital Champions, and will be available to boost the support of IT taster sessions.

The Digital Champions will lend their help in addition to the current support provided through public libraries across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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The aim of the project is to help people improve basic digital skills like getting online, sending emails, connecting with their families online or using social media for the first time.

The government has also promised to get WiFi to 98 per cent of libraries by March 2016, meaning that more people have access to the internet than ever before.

Ed Vaizey, minister for culture and the digital economy, said “Being internet savvy is absolutely essential in today’s society - whether that be through shopping online, using social media or simply sending an email.

“The IT Taster Sessions ran by the libraries, and supported by the Halifax Digital Champions, are already making an enormous difference to help people use the internet and give them the confidence to get online.

Anyone interested in taking part in an IT taster session should visit their local library and speak to a librarian.