A new Walsall Connected centre to help people access online services and develop their digital skills has been officially opened at the Manor Hospital.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is the latest local organisation to partner with Walsall Connected to provide face-to-face support to residents who need help to access council services online.
The new centre was launched yesterday by the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Chris Towe, and Professor David Loughton CBE, Group Chief Executive of the Trust. It is located outside the Antenatal Clinic in the hospital.
Walsall Connected is a partnership between Walsall Council, local community associations, libraries and partner organisations. In total, there are now 28 Walsall Connected sites across the borough, conveniently located in the heart of local communities.
Trained staff and volunteers are on hand to assist people and teach valuable digital skills. As well as offering support to residents to access online council services, Walsall Connected Centres give residents the opportunity to learn transferable digital skills such as using email and web browsing.
The Mayor said: “It’s a pleasure to announce our partnership with the Manor Hospital. I can’t quite believe that is has been a year since we originally launched Walsall Connected at our first centre – Lichfield Street Hub in Walsall.
“Walsall Council has a great working relationship with the Manor and we make that relationship even stronger with the launch of our 28th Walsall Connected centre in the heart of our borough.”
Garry Perry, Associate Director – Patient Relations & Experience, at Walsall Healthcare, said: “Yesterday’s launch symbolised our joint efforts to further strengthen the relationships between healthcare, the council and our communities and we are delighted to see the new centre up and running.
“We believe the hospital is going to be a prime location for a Walsall Connected centre because of the large numbers of people who come through our doors, and we are looking forward to welcoming its volunteers into our Trust to be part of our teams.”
For more information about Walsall Connected, please visit: www.walsall.gov.uk/people_and_communities/walsall_connected