Residents living in Newton Aycliffe will soon be able to receive one-to-one support to help them increase their confidence and digital literacy skills, thanks to a Digital Money Coach project run by Citizens Advice County Durham.
The project, funded by Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP), will engage with residents, increase their confidence and improve their digital literacy skills on a one-to-one basis. The project will specifically target individuals who require support to complete the present Universal Credit Benefit application process, in particular those who are digitally excluded.
The project will also recruit and train a team of 6 volunteers who will help support clients on a one-to-one basis with everything from comparing energy suppliers, online banking and completing online benefit applications.
Neil Bradbury, Citizens Advice County Durham, said: ‘Over 10 million people in the UK lack basic IT skills, leading to digital exclusion. The Digital Money Coaches will help alleviate this problem in the GAMP area’.
As part of the project anyone accessing support will also be able to speak confidentially with specialist CAB advisors.
The Digital Money Coaches project is funded through the Neighbourhood Budget allocations of Cllrs Eddy Adam, John Clare, Mike Dixon, Joan Gray, Jed Hillary, Kate Hopper and Sarah Iveson.
For further information on the project, please contact Citizens Advice County Durham on 01325 316 637.
