The Digital Inclusion team (left to right): Bua, Emily and Georgie
Every year in October, the Digital Inclusion team at Manchester City Council works with local partners and organisations across Manchester to promote Get Online Week - a national campaign run by Good Things Foundation that highlights the many benefits of getting online. The campaign focuses on the wider advantages of being digitally included, including access to essential services, stronger social connections, and the tools needed to navigate modern life.
As part of this year's campaign, we delivered three events across the city, supporting organisations and residents to explore the benefits of being online, showcase projects making a difference in local communities, and promote safe and confident participation in the digital world.
Digital Inclusion Forum at King’s House in Manchester City Centre
Digital Inclusion Forum
The team runs a quarterly Digital Inclusion Forum, bringing together voluntary and community sector organisations, alongside external partners with an interest in digital inclusion, to share knowledge, build connections, and collaborate on efforts across the city.
To coincide with Get Online Week, we hosted an in-person Forum on Tuesday 20 October at King's House in the city centre, giving members the opportunity to meet and network face to face. The event brought together more than 25 representatives from organisations across the sector.
Alongside updates on the team's recent work, attendees heard from local organisations delivering impactful projects in their communities. A great example of this was from Wai Yin, who shared insights on their recent 3D printing workshops, demonstrating how "digital in disguise" approaches can help residents develop valuable digital skills through creative activities. Kanika Selvan from Beetroot Consulting also led an interactive workshop exploring civic solutions to advance digital equity in local Manchester communities. Thank you to all who came and contribute to the session.
Scam Awareness session at AgeUK Brunswick Extra Care Facility
AgeUK Scam Awareness Session
Online scams can be a significant source of anxiety for people who are beginning their digital journeys, particularly older adults. Raising awareness of common scams and providing practical advice on staying safe online can help build confidence and reduce the risk of becoming a victim.
To support this, we partnered with AgeUK's Scam Awareness team to deliver a session for 15 residents at Brunswick Extra Care. During the session, participants learned about common scam tactics, warning signs to watch out for, and steps they can take to protect themselves online.
Residents were encouraged to ask questions and discuss scenarios that were relevant to them, helping them feel more confident in navigating the digital world safely. We even finished the session with a ScamBuster-themed song set to the tune of Frère Jacques, which brought plenty of smiles and helped end the session on a fun and memorable note.
Georgie at Fernclough GP Surgery
NHS App Registration Drop-in Sessions
To round off the week, we visited two surgeries in north Manchester - Willow Bank Surgery and Fernclough Surgery. Working alongside the NHS Digital Facilitation team, we hosted drop-in sessions to help patients register for and learn how to use the NHS App.
The NHS App is a valuable tool for managing healthcare online through a phone, tablet, or computer. It enables patients to view test results, order repeat prescriptions, manage appointments, and access a range of NHS services, supporting greater independence in managing their healthcare.
However, many people are unable to benefit fully from the app due to a lack of digital confidence or familiarity with the registration process. These drop-in sessions provided personalised support to help patients set up the app on their devices and successfully sign in.
Getting started is often the biggest barrier, and by helping people overcome that first hurdle, we can support them to feel more confident using the app independently and making the most of its features.
Overall, Get Online Week provided a valuable opportunity to bring together partners, organisations and residents to champion digital inclusion across Manchester. Through collaboration, practical support and shared learning, we continue to help more people build the confidence and skills needed to benefit from the digital world. Thank you to all those who were involved.
To find out more about the project, and how our team works across Manchester, get in touch at digitalinclusion@manchester.gov.uk.