With 1 month to go before Rochdale Digital Festival returns, we have just revealed more about the event.
The festival, aimed at de-mystifying technology and showing how useful, easy and fun to use it can be, will be staged at Number One Riverside on Saturday 27 February 2016.
Names already confirmed to be at the festival include Barclays, Google, BBC iPlayer, 02 Rochdale and BT. They'll be joined by a host of others including Boots, Rochdale Online and Hopwood Hall College.
Organised by us, in partnership with BBC Radio Manchester, the festival has been designed to improve people's digital skills with hands-on help and advice for all age groups. Visitors will be able to find out how to do online banking, how to browse products, shop or read a book online, and get tips on using smartphones and tablets.
If you want to know more about how to use technology to find a job, you can visit our Careers and Skills Zone for expert advice on the digital skills you need to find work in 2016 and beyond. For the first time there will be a Digital Community and Creative Zone, highlighting local digital projects and how they can help you.
There will also be demonstrations of how residents can use the council website to avoid making unnecessary and time-consuming telephone calls or face-to-face visits. There will be friendly faces on hand to show how easy it can be and tablets, phones and computers will be available for people to try.
Councillor Neil Emmott, our Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Neighbourhoods said: "We've really stepped up a gear for 2016 and already have a great line-up of local and national names joining us. It's going to be an unmissable day for local residents, helping you do more online, whatever your level. You'll be able to find out how to do online banking, how to browse products, shop or read a book online and get tips on using a smartphone or tablet. There will be friendly faces on hand to show you step by step just how easy it is, as well as tablets, phones and computers for you to have a go on."
The festival will bring together a range of exhibitions, performances and workshops and there will also be a 'help-bar' where an 02 'guru' and students will help you get the best from your smartphone and tablet.
Rochdale Digital Festival is being held as part of BeOnline 2016 – a national two-week campaign to help people discover the internet and how it can help them make 2016 a year of transformation.
27 Jan 2016