The latest news from Digital Dorset.
View this email in your browser
** News from Digital Dorset
------------------------------------------------------------
** If you haven't yet followed us on social media you can do so on:
------------------------------------------------------------
* X (formerly Twitter
* Facebook
* YouTube
* LinkedIn page
Businesses - will you accept the cyber security challenge?
Did you know 500,000 new cyber threats are discovered daily in the UK and 81% of the businesses who are victims are small to medium-sized?
We want to make sure our local businesses are fully armed in this most modern of wars.
The Dorset Digital Skills Partnership has invited cyber security experts to hold a special cyber escape room event - facilitated by the South West Regional Cyber Crime Unit for businesses.
It will take place on 24 April at County Hall in Dorchester from 9am to 12.30pm. Participants will have to go through a range of cyber security tasks, learning valuable tips along the way, before they can escape.
This FREE event will not only help protect businesses from potential cyber attacks but also promises to be a lot of fun as well.
Is your business ready for the challenge? To get your free tickets click the button below.
*Image by Freepik
Cyber escape room booking
Be like Norma and help Dorset residents get online
Do you work or volunteer in a front line role serving Dorset's residents?
Would you like to help your customers use your online services?
Then from 2 April you can sign up for our free training that will help you become an embedded digital champion in your organisation.
Already 1,200 people have successfully completed the training.
This year we are teaming up with Barclays Digital Wings so all the training can be completed online and in your own time.
For more information and to register your interest in the training email edc@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Dynamic future for Dorset
More than 80 innovative companies have applied to be part of Dorset's dynamic future.
Last month Dorset Council launched a new Digital Innovation Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to identify companies it may work with on future projects.
The DPS is still open for others wishing to join the developing Dorset innovation ecosystem.
If you work in digital or innovation and would like to find out more, click the button below.
Digital Innovation Dynamic Purchasing System
Dorset innovators - make this park your new home
Six new business units are currently under construction at Dorset's only industrial park with Enterprise Zone status.
Dorset Council recently appointed local firm, Spetisbury Construction, to build the £4.4m units at the Dorset Innovation Park in Winfrith.
The park is developing as an advanced engineering cluster of excellence for the south west, building on its strengths in marine, defence, energy, and cyber-security.
These new units, which are due to be completed in December, will enable more innovators to join the park and grow the county's developing digital innovation ecosystem.
The park is already home to a range of innovative businesses, including Qinetiq, Atlas, and Norco, plus the Ministry of Defence at the Defence Battlelab situated on site.
Any businesses interested in finding out more about the new units can contact Jayne Sharman at Sibbett Gregory - email jayne@sibbettgregory.com
or call 01202 661177.
Opening the door to employment - watch our video by clicking the photo
Opening the doors to employment
Our Digital Doorway device gifting scheme is making a huge difference to people's lives - including job seekers in Weymouth.
They were referred to us to receive laptops so they could complete the back-to-work digital course called Multiply. Having laptops also means they can now search and apply for jobs more easily.
Please take a couple minutes of your day to view their inspirational story by clicking the photo above to take you to our video.
For more information about the scheme and if you would like to support it, email digitaldorset@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Are you ready for the digital switch over?
Between now and December 2025 most telephone providers will be moving their customers from old analogue landlines over to digital technology.
This means services that rely on the old landline system such as home phones and healthcare devices will be switched over.
Do you know any vulnerable people who might be worried about the switchover?
Help them by contacting their phone or telecare provider to see how they might be affected.
For more information on the switchover click the link below.
Digital switchover
Digital whizzes - Dorset needs you!
We are looking for people in Blandford, Corfe Mullen, Dorchester and Gillingham with digital and technical experience to help get more of our residents online.
Dorset Council runs a volunteer digital champion programme across the county to give technical advice to anyone who needs it.
We are looking to recruit extra volunteer digital champions to serve from Blandford Library, Corfe Mullen Library and Gillingham Library.
To be a volunteer digital champion you need to be patient and kind. A background in IT or digital would be ideal but people with a good all-round knowledge are also very welcome to apply.
Full training and on-going support are provided. For more information email digitalchampions@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
or click the button below.
Apply to be a digital champion
Let's make digital for all
All this month the Good Things Foundation is running a national campaign called 'Digital for All.'
Nearly half of the population has not heard of the term 'digital exclusion' but it's an ever increasing problem as we move more into a digital world.
People can be digitally excluded because they cannot afford devices or broadband/data, other people might not have the skills or confidence to use digital devices or online services and then there are those who live in an areas of poor connectivity. Sadly millions of people are in this situation.
The #DigitalForAll campaign is raising awareness about digital exclusion and the initiatives that exist to help break the barriers.
Here in Dorset we have several initiatives that are helping people to get online (and we have highlighted a few in this newsletter). You can also find out more by clicking the button below.
Digital Dorset
Inspiring Dorset's future workforce
The #DigitalDorset
team was delighted to attend Dorset Council's first ever Early Careers Fair.
We were one of many teams from across the council at the fair, which took place on 11 March, telling school children about the wide and varied career opportunities in local government.
Digital skills and adoption programme manager, Penny Syddall (pictured), said: "'Do you want a better phone signal?' or ''Does anyone in your family need help using a smart phone?' started several good conversations with young people about the digital projects we deliver.
"This was a great event for young people to find out about all the work we do at Dorset Council."
** Did you get this newsletter from a friend?
------------------------------------------------------------
Why not sign up for your own copy?
Sign up for our newsletter
============================================================
** Digital Dorset webpage
** Digital Dorset on Twitter
** Digital Dorset Facebook page
** Sign up for other newsletters from Dorset Council
This email was sent to david.oliver@trustedcarcheck.co.uk
why did I get this?
Dorset Council . County Hall . Colliton Park . Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ . United Kingdom