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
Openreach extends digital switchover deadline but people still need to be prepared
Openreach has announced it has extended the deadline for telephone suppliers to switch their customers from the traditional landline to a digital service.
The original deadline of 31 December 2025 has been moved to 31 January 2027 to give suppliers more time to help their vulnerable customers.
This does not mean everyone will be switched over on that new date. Suppliers can still switch over their customers between now and the new deadline.
If you know someone who is vulnerable, we would advise contacting their supplier to let them know they have a vulnerable customer. If you live in an area of poor mobile phone connectivity, we would advise letting your telephone supplier know and ask them about battery back up solutions in case of a power cut.
Suppliers should contact you in advance of being switched over so do look out for correspondence from them.
Openreach announcement
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 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
Inspiring Dorset's future innovators
Dorset schoolchildren were given special access to the county’s only Enterprise Zone to get a taste of what a future career in innovation could offer them.
The group of Year 5 pupils from Southill Primary School, Weymouth took part in an educational adventure at the Dorset Innovation Park.
Organised by Dorset Council, the eye-opening trip aimed to ignite curiosity, inspire young minds, and promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers.
During their trip, the children visited the UK’s Defence BattleLab and delved into cutting-edge technology and innovation.
They took part in a range of activities aimed at sparking their curiosity, problem solving and innovative thinking.
Read more
Calling all Dorset schools – Coding Day returns for 2024
After the success of Dorset Coding Day last year, the event is back for 2024. This year Coding Day will take place during the week of 7 October. We are encouraging local schools to sign up.
Last year, more than 5,000 Dorset school children took part in interactive coding activities helped by over 60 tech industry volunteers. This year we would love to have even more young coders take part.
Coding Day is for school children in years 5,6 and 7 (ages 9 to 12 years) as well as those home educated children and children in alternative education settings.
Volunteers from the tech industry play a key role in the event. Attending schools and helping with the coding activities as well as talking to children about their industry.
Sign up for Dorset Coding Day
Digital whizzes - Dorset needs you!
We are looking for people in 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 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
Apply to be a digital champion
** 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