The established volunteer-based Cambridge charity, which is committed to increasing digital inclusion, is urgently seeking £20,000 in business and personal donations in order to stay open.
Cambridge Online provides training on personal computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. It has a wide range of accessible hardware and software for people to try. It specialises in helping disabled and disadvantaged people, but the services are open to all. Activities are coordinated from its hub at Hester Adrian Centre, in Hawthorn Way, Chesterton, Cambridge, CB4 1AX.
Andrew Entecott, Chief Executive, said: “Our funding drive is to seek the money that we need to continue operating and support our activities in the immediate future.
“Thirty Digital Champions deliver 4,000 one-to-one tutorials each year and 300 new learners will contact the charity in 2017 to gain basic online skills in Cambridge. Forty per cent of the organisation’s Digital Champions are living with a disability helping to get other people online.”
Cambridge Online is already supported by: Cambridge City Council, Good Things Foundation, TTP Group, Dosoco Foundation and personal donors, and its services are provided at low cost or free. But the income received so far this year is not enough to cover all running costs, with an immediate call for £20,000 new income in order to prevent closure. A corporate donation of £4,000 will support 200 teaching sessions. A personal donation of £200 provides running costs for one day, while £20 funds one teaching session.
Andrew Entecott, Chief Executive, said: “Cambridge Online provides a range of courses to help people make the most of being online. We support people to gain the skills to search and apply for jobs, shop online, use Facebook and socialise online, contact government and health services, leisure and healthy living. In fact, we will try to help people learn anything they want to do online!”
If you are able to make a contribution or have any other ideas, please contact Andrew Entecott at Cambridge Online on 01223 300407 or email him at [email protected]
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