19
November
2015
|
12:10
Europe/London

Broadband East Riding Supports IT Training Sessions at the Boot and Slipper

Summary
More than 300 households and businesses in the village of Barmby Moor are now able to access superfast, fibre broadband, with speeds of at least 24Mbps, thanks to the Broadband East Riding programme. The new technology is helping people in the village discover more about the internet via training sessions delivered at the local pub.

More than 300 households and businesses in the village of Barmby Moor are now able to access superfast, fibre broadband, with speeds of at least 24Mbps, thanks to the Broadband East Riding programme.

The new technology is helping people in the village discover more about the internet via training sessions delivered at the local pub.

The Boot and Slipper’s ‘Boot-IT’ sessions encourage residents to get online and teach them how to use tablets and other devices. Already internet shopping deliveries are made to the pub’s car park twice a week and the community is looking at other ways in which they can benefit from using digital technology.

Andy Tennant, licensee at the Boot and Slipper, said: “The IT training sessions started in January last year, evolving out of coffee mornings held at the pub.

“The village shop had closed and residents started talking about online shopping, although it became clear that many of the elderly residents didn’t really know how to get started with it.

“The group began working closely with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and were initially loaned ten tablets by the adult education service so the IT sessions could begin, before Barmby Moor Parish Council successfully applied for a Connecting Communities grant to help buy new equipment. The sessions are now regularly held on Thursday mornings, and cover different topics each week.”

Andy explains that the sessions have many benefits, saying: “These sessions are also social events and are helping to combat isolation amongst the village’s elderly population, while also boosting community spirit.

“Residents have learnt new skills such as keeping in touch with family by email or Skype and searching for information. The internet shopping deliveries also save customers money and the community is keen to benefit from other opportunities using the new faster broadband speeds.”

Since upgrading the pub’s broadband connection to fibre broadband it has helped to deliver the sessions more effectively. Andy described the superfast speeds as ‘absolutely brilliant’ and recommends others to go superfast too.

Councillor Jonathan Owen, deputy leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Boot-IT sessions, delivered by The Boot and Slipper, are an excellent example of how superfast broadband can have a positive impact on the lives of local residents.

“Working with BT, the council is continuing to roll out superfast broadband through its Broadband East Riding Programme and would encourage residents and businesses to find out what difference faster broadband speeds could make to them, and order the service from the internet service provider (ISP) of their choice.”

Superfast broadband, delivering speeds of 24Mbps and above, is now available to more than 41,000 home and businesses thanks to the first phase of the £14 million Broadband East Riding programme. It is funded by £5.5 million from the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK programme and £4.4 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and investment from BT and the Council.

A further £5million contract was signed earlier this year between the council and BT to extend superfast broadband to an additional 4,500 homes and businesses. Work is expected to start on this second phase of the Broadband East Riding programme early next year.

Tom Keeney, BT’s regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Getting this new technology in the ground is an achievement, but the real measure of success is how local residents and businesses choose to take advantage of the benefits faster broadband can bring.

“Boot-IT is a brilliant example of how technology can bring a community together, enhance well-being and bring tangible benefits, such as saving money on the weekly shop and better online learning.”

Superfast broadband enables people to watch HD movies, catch up with their favourite TV on demand and download music in seconds. Photos and videos can be uploaded to social networking sites almost instantly and streaming via popular online services such as Netflix and Spotify is smooth and buffer-free. On top of this, everyone in the house can do their own thing online, simultaneously.

Businesses connected to superfast broadband can serve their customers better and attract new ones more easily. What’s more, they can cut costs and work more flexibly.

For further information on Broadband East Riding visit www.broadband.eastriding.gov.uk

Boot-IT is not just for residents of Barmby Moor, everyone is welcome to come along. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn some new skills. Visit http://barmbymoorboot-it.co.uk/ for more information.