New Walsall Connected centre to open at Walsall Manor Hospital
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Walsall Manor Hospital is the latest local organisation partnering Walsall Connected to provide face-to-face support to residents who need help to access council services online.
The new Walsall Connected centre will be officially launched at 2pm on Wednesday 12 July 2023 by the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Chris Towe, and Professor David Loughton CBE, Chief Executive of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.
Walsall Connected is a partnership between Walsall Council and 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.
Free Wi-Fi and access to public computers is available and 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, it also gives residents the opportunity to learn transferable digital skills such as using email and web browsing.
“ It’s important that our residents have access to the digital world and so I am delighted a Walsall Connected centre is opening here at the hospital.
“It’s a great location and I’m sure that it will prove to be popular. It means that more people can take advantage of the opportunities that digital technology offers and understand how to access online services. Increasingly, more and more services and information are going online so it’s important that support is available and accessible for those who need it
“
“ Being able to provide such a centre in the hospital was another significant step towards creating more inclusive communities.
He added, “Our staff not only look after patients’ health needs but regularly signpost them to appropriate support and services that are available in the borough and having Walsall Connected on hand means we can improve access to this important information
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For more information about Walsall Connected, please visit: www.walsall.gov.uk/people_and_communities/walsall_connected
Notes to editors
Feedback from the council’s residents’ survey in 2021 showed that vulnerable and elderly residents would prefer to access advice and digital support in locations closer to their own homes, to keep travelling time and transport costs down. The Walsall Connected initiative has been developed by Walsall Council in response to feedback from residents, providing locations where people can access services at their convenience.
Walsall Connected is available at the following libraries and community partners in the borough:
Libraries
Aldridge Community Library
Bloxwich Community library
Brownhills Community Library
Darlaston Community library
Lichfield Street Hub (Walsall Central Library)
Streetly Community Library
Willenhall Community Library
Community partners
Aaina Community Hub
Birchills Neighbourhood Community Hub
Bloxwich Community Partnership - Stan Ball Centre
Bloxwich Community Partnership - Palace Play, Shop, Eat
Brownhills Community Association
The Collingwood Centre
Frank F. Harrison - Beechdale Lifelong Learning Centre
Frank F. Harrison - The Hive Community Hub
Manor Farm Community Association
Moxley People's Centre
Nash Dom Community Hub
Old Hall People's Partnership
Pelsall Community Centre
RMC The Refugee and Migrant Centre
Ryecroft Community Hub
Streetly Sports and Community Association
The MindKind Wellbeing Centre
Walsall Black Sisters Collective
Walsall Manor Hospital
Willenhall Chart Community Hub
YMCA Walsall
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