Overview

With the support of the Connect 15 Fund, Salford Foundation’s The Shed delivered a series of digital inclusion sessions aimed at supporting men in Salford. The Shed provides a safe, confidential space offering holistic support across welfare, skills, and rehabilitation.

Delivery & Participation

Over five sessions, 14 individuals engaged in immersive digital experiences designed to inspire, educate, and promote wellbeing.

Session Highlights

• Insight & Inspiration: Participants explored the pyramids of Egypt and swam with sharks using VR headsets, sparking curiosity and cultural awareness.
• Mindfulness: Guided meditation in a sensory room helped individuals manage stress and improve mental wellbeing.
• Games: Interactive VR games supported cognitive development and encouraged social interaction.

Conclusion

Connect 15’s work with The Shed shows how using digital tools can help people feel more included and confident. By giving them exciting and meaningful experiences, the programme has helped people get involved, learn new things, and feel more hopeful about their future.

The VR headsets have added great value to our centre and have given insight to new opportunities and inspiration for our service users. They have helped to connect people together in the physical space whilst learning about new cultures and experiences far from Salford. These devices have broadened the horizons for some of our most disadvantaged service users.

John - Salford Foundation, The Shed

Beautiful Minds is a community group offering emotional support to men and women aged 60 and over who wish to connect with others in their local area. In August, they began delivering digital inclusion sessions after receiving funding through Salford Council's Connect 15 initiative.

The Beautiful Minds: Helping Older Adults Get Online

Julianah, who is 81 years old, had never used a computer before. She had never taken part in any online training and didn’t know how to use digital devices. With help from one of our volunteers, she signed up to LearnMyWay and has now completed three training sessions.

During these sessions, Julianah learnt how to use a mouse, type on a keyboard, scroll through pages, and tap and swipe on her device. She was so proud of her progress that she told all her children about what she can now do.

This has been a big step for Julianah, and it shows how important digital inclusion is. Thanks to the support from our volunteers, she now feels more confident and connected. It’s been a joy to help her start her digital journey.

Participating in IT training and digital inclusion programs did not just improve my own tech skills; It also gave me the opportunity to support others, be more confident using technology. It has been incredibly awesome to see how something as simple as learning to use a computer or smartphone can open doors for people. Whether it is staying in touch with loved ones, finding job opportunities, shop online, make bookings online, or just feeling more connected to the world, I have seen how digital skills can empower a community to thrive.

Opeyemi - The Beautiful Minds

Through basic IT training and digital inclusion, I have acquired the skills and confidence to navigate today’s digital world and empowering myself to connect, learn, and participate more fully in the community with confidence.

Julianah - Learner

The digital skills learnt so far and in addition to previous knowledge has been incredibly rewarding. The Beautiful Minds have seen how access to technology can truly change lives. The older women we have been supporting are now using some of the digital tools with confidence. They can now access online services, attend zoom meeting, join WhatsApp video call, book online services and lots more. Watching them grow more independent and self-assured has been inspiring. It means a lot to know we helped open those doors and been part of their journey.

Opeyemi - The Beautiful Minds

As part of the Connect 15 – Strengthening Community programme, we’ve placed digital champions with many of our partner organisations. One of these is Salford Disability Forum in Pendleton. Below are a few reflections from both the organisation and our digital champion.

The digital champions that we've had have been absolutely amazing and [the Digital Inclusion team have] really helped us with equipment and all sorts of things going forward.

Kay - Salford Disability Forum

We took four volunteers from your pool and they've all been fantastic in working in different ways. They were originally set to work with the Claremont and Weaste opportunities club, however on talking to our volunteers and realising what skills they had to offer, we used them in various different ways. Chris has come on board and helped us... set up a new website, put integrations with LinkedIn, with Facebook profile, set up Canva, adjusted our logos... and done loads of fab work.

Andy - Salford Disability Forum

It's been phenomenal to help them overcome the challenges they've had with limited technology. That's been a bonus for them. 
And they've also seen it. So it's less stressful and you can see the more relaxed in the faces as well. So there's more smiles and more laughing in the office. The support from the digital inclusion team and the digital inclusion officer for Salford City Council has been phenomenal. Just that feeling of knowing you've helped an organisation to kind of come from a background where there's possibly no digital infrastructure to then help them move into that. Yeah, it's great.

Chris - Digital Champion

Can I just say thank you so much for everything, but in particular for finding [the digital champion] for us - he's an absolute star and we are really excited to be working with him!

I just wanted to thank you both again for the IWB and accessories, and setting it up for us. It got its first use today at a meeting for leaders of Community organisations in Ordsall, and was much admired!

Branwen - The Tatton

I never imagined I could experience something like this, it has opened up a whole new way of learning and seeing the world.

Learner who attended the introduction to AI session and immersive virtual reality session.

The TV has been an excellent addition to our digital inclusion sessions, allowing us to deliver more engaging and interactive workshops. It helps us demonstrate practical skills in real-time, improves accessibility for participants with language barriers, and supports a more inclusive and collaborative learning environment.

Pat - Revive

The following quotes are from Jasmin, Founder of Women with Wings, who has been supported by Digital Champions as part of the Connect 15 - Strengthening Communities programme:

Amy

Amy, our Digital Champion, who leads digital literacy sessions every Thursday. Amy has helped and supported our community with digital technology since February 2025. We have seen the impact of these sessions over time.  
The sessions are open to all Little Hulton residents who wish to increase their knowledge of technology. So far, we’ve supported over 20 residents, ranging in age from 17 to over 55.  
Amy is equipped with valuable knowledge in technology—something much needed in our community—and she is determined to pass it on to our residents.  
Thank you, Amy, for the wonderful work you do in our community.

Chris

We’ve started working with Chris to support us in building and managing our own website and social media platforms. Chris has the knowledge that our organisation, Women with Wings, truly needs.

The future looks bright with this support, and we can’t wait to be in a position to run and manage our own website—it will save us a lot of money.

Thank you Chris for your support, we appreciate it so much.

Jasmin - Women with Wings

The Hive, nestled in the heart of Victoria Park, is more than a digital hub—it’s a lifeline for people still finding their way back into society after COVID. As part of the Connect 15 programme, it offers a warm, welcoming space where people can enjoy a cup of coffee, a chat, and the chance to learn something new.

“The Hive is a community centre and café. It’s a warm space. It’s a safe space for people to come.”

Sonia, The Hive

The Tea & Tech sessions are a key part of this offer. They provide free access to devices, internet, and one-to-one support from a digital champion. But the impact goes far beyond technology.

“It’s not just about technology and a cup of tea. It’s getting people out of the house, getting them connected.”

Sonia, The Hive

Digital inclusion here means learning to send an email, shop online, or access essential services—skills that build confidence and independence. But it also means reconnecting with others, especially for those who’ve felt isolated.

“We are still encountering people who are not 100% comfortable about being out… they’re scared.”

Sonia, The Hive

The Hive is ideally placed to reach those people. Its location, friendly atmosphere, and variety of activities make it a gentle gateway back into community life.

“You’re not judged here… this is a safe place where you can talk about [your struggles] and you won’t be ridiculed.”

Sonia, The Hive

Whether it’s learning to use a smartphone or simply having someone to talk to, The Hive is helping people feel included, empowered, and part of something again.

After semi-retiring from a career supporting local businesses, Gary wanted to give something back. Now, as a Digital Champion at The Hive, he offers one-to-one support through the Tea & Tech sessions—helping people build confidence with their devices and reconnect with the world around them.

A lot of people know what they want to achieve—they just don’t know how to get there. If I can help them find one thing that makes a difference, that’s a new skill and a bit of confidence they can carry forward.

Gary, Digital Champion

“Technology keeps changing and I struggle to keep up - but coming here helps me learn and build my confidence. It’s a lovely place, and I’ll definitely be back.”

Claire, Learner

Thank you for making this possible.

Yolande - Salford Community Upskilling

I was really amazed to learn more about Alexa, I'd used it at a friend’s house to check bus times and plan when to leave, but I didn’t realise how much more it could do.

Veronique - Learner

I found it very informative and engaging as we were all able to explore different things we can all use Alexa to help ourselves on a daily basis such as reminding us about our appointments or playing music we want to listen to.

We also tested it ourselves to see how easy it was to use Alexa and it was a very positive and successful session!

Ketsia - Gen Z Volunteer

It was so interesting to see people from different generations interacting with modern technology. It felt really fulfilling to be able to support them.

Rebecca - Gen Z Volunteer

I’m truly grateful for the opportunity we’ve had to support our community in breaking the digital divide. It’s been a meaningful experience for all of us.

Salford Community Upskilling team member

I am new to the course and really enjoying it. I learnt so much from one session and it will support me moving forward into a career that I am passionate about working with domestic violence projects. 

Debbie - training for a CPD accreditation in the fundamentals of Domestic Violence and Abuse

I started the Together Training Course at Salford Foundation and I am really enjoying it. Every week I am learning new tings and getting used to using a computer with more confidence.

Deanne - training for a diploma in Food Hygiene and Safety

It was my first training session at Salford Foundation Women's Centre and everyone made me feel very welcome and Alison was very helpful and supportive. I am taking some IT refresher courses and want to move on to study Health and Social.

Jas - Learner

I have had so much support on the Wednesday training courses at Salford Foundation. I am taking a Diploma course in advanced floristry and love learning about the floristry business with a keen view of starting my own little business.

Christina - Learner