This page is the reference for volunteers helping with drop-in IT support sessions. Eventually it will contain links to (hopefully) all the information you need. The page is under construction – more information will be available soon!
Here is some information to help you get started:
Useful links
Introductory Powerpoint presentation for volunteers (September 2022): Digital Champions introduction
Powerpoint presentation on the project as of September 2015: Get Online project update
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1007547149272604/ (you will need to log into Facebook to see the group and join it)
Online client survey form www.go-reading.org/feedback
RVA’s volunteering news page: https://rva.org.uk/volunteering/
Resources for volunteers
Here are a few useful resources:
Learn My Way, an excellent series of basic online courses provide by the Good Things Foundation: www.goodthingsfoundation.org/learn/learn-my-way
If you are helping a visitor that needs advice on benefits, including Universal Credit, we recommend that you put them in touch with Communicare, 233 King’s Rd, Reading RG1 4LS (behind Wycliff Baptist Church at Cemetery Junction) 0118 926 3941 (Monday-Friday 9am-3pm) or Reading Community Welfare Rights, 101 Oxford Rd, Reading RG1 7UD, phone 0118 955 1070 (Monday-Friday 9am-3pm).
A good source of general information on resources available in Reading is the council’s Services Guide servicesguide.reading.gov.uk.
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Q&A for volunteers
What are the regular session times? Our main sessions are on Tuesdays 2-4pm, Thursdays 2-4pm and Saturdays 10am-12pm, at Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ, and at less frequent times at other venues around Reading – see the online session calendar for details. At the Central Library our sessions are in the area with public computers to the left of the first floor (upstairs) reception desk. All our forthcoming sessions are shown on the calendar on this website.
Where do we meet at the start of our sessions at the Central Library? Please go to the area with the public computers to the left of the first floor reception desk at the start of your session. Volunteers may need to go to other areas to give help, but we generally use this area and the nearby tables as our base.
What is the dress code? Smart casual clothing is ideal. Jeans are fine if they are smart. Sportswear would generally not be appropriate, although smart trainers are OK.
How will volunteers be identifiable? We’ll give volunteers a purple ‘I can help with IT’ badge to wear.
What support will there be for volunteers? David from RVA will be there at the start of most sessions, and RVA is based on the top floor of the library so there will always be someone available to talk to on weekdays. David will be happy to answer any questions between sessions by email at david.neale@rva.org.uk. If you can’t attend a session or need to swap please let David know by email if possible. We also expect to arrange extra training sessions for volunteers on specific topics as required – just ask David if you would like training on a specific topic.
Will RVA pay my travelling expenses? We can reimburse your bus or train fare, but there is no car parking on site so we strongly suggest using public transport. Please ask David for details.
How are sessions being marketed to the public? Library and community venue staff are aware of the sessions and will be recommending them to members of the public who ask them for IT support. There are also leaflets to take away.
I would like to set up my own local drop-in sessions – can you help? Yes! Please ask David for details. We’ll be pleased to help you find a local venue and get started. Please note that our funding can only support sessions at venues within the borough of Reading.