We are fast approaching the end of the financial year and lots of us have spotted social media posts from accountants and book keepers, urging us to abandon our bad habits and start the next financial year with a clean slate. I definitely have.
Does the idea of having to record things online through websites or apps on your phone make you nervous? Sometimes new habits need new skills. Have you heard of spreadsheets, but don’t know what they are or how to use them? Is your phone just for calls, texts and the occasional Facebook session? Does the idea of using it to run your business, make you uncomfortable? (Or down right terrified?)
Most of you know that I build websites, but did you know that I also run workshops and training courses to help people learn how to do things online? If you’d like to get to grips with a smart phone, master using your tablet, learn how to use Microsoft Excel or even how to build your own website, I can teach you how to do all of those things.
Big Changes
It has been a busy few months here at the Village Web Company. I’m now officially a social enterprise and I have opened my own training centre in Romiley in Stockport, Greater Manchester. Running face to face training sessions from your spare bedroom isn’t really a viable option, so it made sense to create my own dedicated training venue. Romiley isn’t on everybody’s doorstep, but it has cheap parking and excellent public transport links, which make it easy for lots of people to get to.
Having my own training space means that I can run training courses, hold meetings and also use the space to host other events, such as craft evenings and creative workshops. These “tech free” events mean that you can learn a new skill in a relaxing environment (usually with tea and cake) I have already hosted workshops on Calligraphy and Bullet Journalling and have lots more planned. All delivered by amazing local businesses who are experts in their field.
The Mystery Of The Shop Sign
I’m currently looking forward to the delivery and installation of my new shop sign. I have been baffling my new neighbours and passers by, because the sign over the door still says that I’m a mobility shop! The new sign has finally been ordered and will hopefully be in place soon.
New Opportunities
There are lots of advantages to having my own training centre, including the fact that I am now able to offer work placements to people starting their careers in tech. The reason I became a social enterprise rather than a limited company is because I want to actively do something to fight the problem of digital exclusion. When banking, council services and even children’s school homework is moved online, this can create a massive problem for people who have never had to use a computer or don’t have access to the internet at home.
Those of you following @villagewebco on social media, will have seen Declan, my new assistant web developer, who started on an apprenticeship at the start of the month. Declan will be learning how to build and maintain websites, along with anything else I can squeeze into his training during his time here!
In addition to growing the team, having commercial premises also means that I am now able to offer volunteering opportunities to people wanting to develop their confidence and learn new work place skills. These opportunities are often useful for people who have been out of the workplace for a while.
It’s been an exciting time here at the Village Web Company and I look forward to welcoming some of you to the shop in Romiley Precinct over the next few months. If you’d like to be the first to know about events, workshops and training courses please join one of our mailing lists.
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