What a fantastic start to our digital sessions working in partnership with One Manchester!

Today, kicked off our soft launch and some big ambitions. Five residents joined us, alongside Zoe from One Manchester,  to explore the world of online job hunting and get more confident with technology with and attendee was referred to the Databank for further support. But one visitor’s story truly captured the spirit of the day.

A local tenant popped in after reading about our session in a community newsletter. His reason? He’d bought a trail camera to capture wildlife in his garden but couldn’t set it up—no laptop, no broadband, no clue where to start.

We invited him to bring his SD card, helped him access it on our laptop, and chatted about longer-term solutions. Though he qualifies for social tariffs and support, he made an honourable choice: “he didn’t want to take resources from someone worse off”. Instead, he decided to take the plunge and sort it himself… with a bit of help from us.

During the session, he found a broadband deal that offered strong coverage and affordability, £19/month with free setup, and signed up on the spot. Then he picked out a cost-effective laptop, both arriving the next day. He admitted he just needed a little guidance and reassurance to avoid getting scammed online.

It’s stories like his that remind us why these sessions matter. We can’t wait to see him again—and watch this digital hub grow into something amazing with One Manchester. Stay tuned. This is just the beginning.