Residents develop new digital skills at Stockport DigiFest

Local residents took part in over 70 workshops, activities, and sessions during Stockport DigiFest, a month of activities organised as part of the town’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

Activities throughout February attracted people from across the generations and the borough, and culminated on Thursday, 29 February, with a digital inclusion seminar that explored opportunities for digital to create a healthier Stockport and the need for digital work skills. Other highlights included podcast workshops, VR headset experiences, digital video and photography, hackathons, and making a robot chicken.

Cllr Jilly Julian, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said:

“The internet has revolutionised how we live, learn, and work, opening up boundless opportunities for people with digital skills. But it can seem scary for those without the confidence to jump into this new world. By getting creative with digital during Stockport DigiFest, we’ve appealed to people of all ages and interests, tempting residents with fun activities to develop new digital skills to benefit them in their wider lives.”

Activities throughout Stockport DigiFest carried across the town’s four Town of Culture themes:

• Makes: digital creativity and making in all its forms, including opportunities to try making digital music, video games and animations, and get online inspiration for knitting, crafting and cooking
• Sounds: promoting music and the spoken word with podcast workshops, digioki (online karaoke), making laser-blaster sounds, finding out how sound waves work and gaining music streaming skills
• Moves: promoting opportunities to be active, including learning to use digital pedometers and fitness apps, finding fitness sessions online and QR code-based treasure hunts 
• Tastes: promoting food and drink in Stockport with food scanners, online recipes, healthy eating ideas and learning how to order food deliveries online

Those attending events found support and helpful encouragement to develop their confidence using online technology. One resident, Keith, said after exploring fitness sessions online in the MOVES session:

“I used to referee football when I was younger. I didn’t know they [Life Leisure] did Walking Football; I’ll look into that.“

Simone Callaghan, Director, The Goodness Collective CIC, commented:

“Adding a digital skills programme during DigiFest allowed the women involved to gain new skills and make new connections. In our experience, everything is about confidence and connection first and learning later. Our women now know other DigiKnow partners offering digital skills support and should feel more comfortable visiting some of their spaces in the future.”

Stockport will be marking the end of the town’s Greater Manchester Town of Culture status with over 50 events and activities taking place over the weekend of 23 and 24 March at the Town of Culture Weekender.