Nick is a regular digital champion with Starting Point, below he shares how he got involved supporting people to get online throughout Stockport as part of our work with the DigiKnow network.

I was part of a scheme for people who had barriers to work, and they told me about Starting Point, and that they could give free sims to people on a low income. Now I know this is the Good Things National Databank. This was something I really needed at the time. I had recently moved to a flat in Brinnington, I had no access to internet, and I urgently needed to get my son back online, as he does all his schooling from home. I was in receipt of benefits, we were struggling financially. 

When I made my way to Starting Point, it was an easy process, I was used to there being a lot of conditions “first you do this, then you do that”, but it was literally filling in a piece of paper, and Chloe gave me the sim card there and then. I was over the moon, it solved my problem. It literally got my son into school again. Its’ had a very real and very permanent benefit for us. My son is getting 80% grade averages now, and the databank made that possible for him. 

Chloe gave me the sim card there and then. I was over the moon, it solved my problem. It literally got my son into school again. Its’ had a very real and very permanent benefit for us. My son is getting 80% grade averages now, and the databank made that possible for him. 

I wanted to volunteer for Starting Point, as I felt I had the skills to contribute, I could see that what they were doing was useful, and I wanted to feel part of a community, to “find my tribe” in Stockport, as we were new to the area, plus I wanted to give back to the people that had helped me. 

My experience of being on a low income, using the databank, and looking for digital solutions has helped me to help other people. I’m a bit of a trailblazer when it comes to benefits, I’ve asked “what can help me?” and then I’ve been able to share that with other people who come to the digital skills sessions. 

An example is when I volunteered as a digital champion helping at an event in Adswood in Stockport. I found out about a local service who search for work based on a person’s profile of previous experience.  I was then able to tell a digital learner about this service in a skills session, and we looked it up online together. I’m happy to say that this person has now found a job. 

Access to data does so much for people. I’ve definitely encouraged learners to use the databank if they need to. It gives people access to news, to jobs online, to money comparison sites, and to entertainment. Watching You Tube gives your brain a break. I’ve been able to use online health services whilst I’ve been waiting for a referral, and I’ve passed these tips onto other people. It’s my life experience, but it can help others. 

Volunteering as a digital champion has been good for my confidence – I’ve worked with other digital champions in the session to connect with people in the classes. We have helped people with money related digital skills like how to apply for online banking, safe online buying and selling, and finding online recipes for cooking on a budget. We take a bit of time at the start and end of each session to discuss what we’ve helped people with and come up with a plan of what we might cover in future sessions. We work well together.

I’ve worked with other digital champions in the session to connect with people in the classes. We have helped people with money related digital skills like how to apply for online banking, safe online buying and selling, and finding online recipes for cooking on a budget.

I’ve gained so much from volunteering. It’s been great being part of a community. It’s made life easier having people to ask “where’s the best place around here to get X,Y or Z?” The social side is great, but there are mental health benefits too, I feel useful. 

Volunteering as a digital champion has given me skills for work, raised my expectations, and opened new opportunities for me. I’ve started applying for work in community organisations and in education – I would never have done that without volunteering for Starting Point.

Starting Point have receive funding from The National Lottery Community fund to support our work with the Digital Champion Volunteering Hub.