Program to bridge digital divide

A FREE program at Ballarat East Neighbourhood House will help women from refugee and multicultural backgrounds improve their digital skills.

Funded by the Federal Government, the program is a collaboration with Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council (BRMC).

Three trained, local women from multicultural backgrounds will serve as mentors and can help participants with any digital questions.

“It is good because I found so many people, as a volunteer at the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, need digital skills,” digital mentor Saranya Annub said.

“We are helping them to improve their skills and confidence.”

Digital mentor Erica Hanna said the BRMC program was about more than just upskilling.

“We don’t just talk about what they need to learn but it’s about how it can empower them as individuals,” she said.

“I noticed in the group, when they start feeling empowered, they tend to show it to the other participants.

“It’s also networking, socialising and a mix of everything.”

Drop-in sessions will be held between Tuesday, July 22 and September 19 from 9.30am until 11.30am Tuesdays, 10.30am until 12.30pm Wednesdays and on Thursdays between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

Community members can attend one session, a few of the sessions or all of the sessions.