Gale started work in the community offering people the chance to work with plants and seedlings in Debdale Park. ‘Potting herbs with Gale’ was born out of a love of all things green (and edible). As Gale’s group grew, Gale began being asked with help for all manner of things, but the most common ask was for help with computers and digital literacy. As more and more services go online, people were asking Gale what to do and how to go about it. Gale approached Community Computers who then put her in touch with Manchester City Council’s Digital Inclusion Team to see what could be achieved around digital help.

Pictured: Gale at Debdale Park

After consulting with the Digital Inclusion team, Gale applied to Community Computers to obtain 4 laptops to start a digital help drop in. In conjunction with the Manchester City Council’s Work and Skills team, the Digital Inclusion team were able to offer Gale, a small grant to get her digital activities going. Gale joined the Good Things Foundation, a digital inclusion charity, and was then able to start using the ‘Learn my Way’ digital self-help learning software. Last on the list, Gale needed a venue. Gale’s neighbourhood officer suggested using Gorton Library at the new Gorton Hub who were delighted to host the sessions on a Wednesday morning. And so Potting Herbs with Gale’s digital skills sessions was born.

Now, each Wednesday, Gorton Library becomes a hive of activity around digital literacy, inviting people of all ages to come to the community space and elevate their digital capabilities. Guided by Gale, these sessions are designed to empower participants with practical knowledge in navigating today’s digital environment. Learners delve into topics around the ‘Learn My Way’ curriculum from anything relating to how to use a mouse to internet use and online safety. Participants are provided with a welcoming space where they can comfortably learn at their preferred speed, with invaluable help from Gale. Alongside the provision of four laptops by the Digital Inclusion team’s partner organisation, Community Computers, a portable MIFI unit was also donated by highways contractor Causeway as part of their social value offer. These tools provide people with the confidence to navigate the digital world effectively.

Pictured: Gale’s digital sessions at Gorton Library using the ‘Learn My Way’ platform with laptops from Community Computers and MIFI unit from Causeway.

Additional feedback from learners include:

       “I learned about the keyboard and my confidence has built up.”

       “I’m quite confident now, I’m happy with the course and the teacher”

       “The course is good; I love the class and the people”

If you would like more information on Gale’s digital sessions or Potting Herbs with Gale at Debdale park, then please contact pottingherbswithgale@gmail.com or 07774 489738

On completing the course, a learner mentioned feeling “quite confident” in their digital skills, particularly noting an improvement in the keyboard abilities that they could apply to their daily life. Learners also bond over shared learning experiences and form supportive networks with one learner stating that “I love the class and the people” and another expressing that “they look forward to coming into class. These sessions not only impart valuable digital skills but also foster a sense of community, vital in navigating the intricacies of the present world.