Spark iT

The Spark iT project aims to tackle digital poverty, and allows Somerset residents to access digital support, skills and learning.

One of the ways we do this is to enable community spaces to host Digital Cafés, hubs, and drop-ins across the county. Run by our friendly and supportive team of volunteer Digital Champions, they are free to attend and open to all ages and abilities.

Digital Cafés

The Digital Cafés can:

• Support Somerset residents to build confidence using their phone, laptop or tablet
• Teach new digital skills to improve health and wellbeing
• Facilitate access to devices and data

The current locations in Somerset are:

• Bridgwater - The Town Hall every Tuesday from 10am-12pm
• Burnham-on-Sea - The Waffle Hub (Methodist Church, College Street) every Wednesday from 10am-12pm
• Chard - The Eleos Cafe every Friday from 10am-12pm
• Crewkerne* - The Library every Wednesday from 10am-12pm
• Frome - Cheese & Grain every Thursday from 10am-12pm
• Frome* - Medical Centre every Tuesday from 10am-12pm, and every Thursday from 4pm-6pm
• Glastonbury - St. John's Church every Monday from 10am-12pm
• Highbridge - The Purplespoon Cafe every Monday from 10am-12pm
• Minehead - Minehead Eye every Thursday from 1-3pm
• Queen Camel* - Village Community Cafe every second Tuesday of the month from 10:30am-12pm
• Shepton Mallet* - The Library every Thursday from 2-4pm
• Taunton* - The Library every Thursday from 11am-12pm
• Taunton* - Digital Drop-In at the Priorswood Community Centre every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30pm (£2 charge for refreshments)
• Watchet - The Library every Thursday from 10:30am-12pm
• Wells* - Bookable IT Help Sessions at the Library every Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30-11:30am
• Wincanton - The Balsam Centre every Wednesday from 10am-12pm

We advise contacting the venues before attending, as there may be occasions where holidays or other issues may mean that times are changed.

(Locations marked with an asterisk* are delivered by Spark iT partners, including the Library Service, Somerset Council and Frome Medical Centre)

How can I host a Digital Café or drop-in?

Spark iT can help you set up a digital offer within your community setting by offering support, training and resources. We can also help you recruit and train volunteer Digital Champions, and provide marketing support as part of the Spark iT network. Get in touch to find out more.

How can I volunteer as a Digital Champion?

We have a network of dedicated volunteer Digital Champions who are interested in IT, enjoy working in and helping their community, and love seeing the positive impact their support has on the health and wellbeing of others. Volunteers can commit to helping on a regular basis, or just on occassions to suit them, with full training and support available. To find out more, visit our page on Spark a Change or get in touch.

Digital help and support

In addition to Digital Cafés, our team can also:

• Facilitate in-person or online training for those who may work with individuals or groups that would benefit from enhancing their digital skills
• Present to groups you feel would benefit from learning more about the Spark iT project
• Accept client or self-referrals for devices and data for those in need via our Digital Device Request Form

Please get in touch for more information.

Our partnerships

We work in partnership with DONATE IT, who repurpose and refurbish donated digital devices and deliver them to those who need them most. To find out more about Donate It and how you can donate unwanted, broken or unused devices and help the environment, please visit their website here.

We also work with the Good Things Foundation, and Vodafone who help support the project.

This project is delivered thanks to funding from Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and the Somerset ICB.

For more information, please email sparkit@sparksomerset.org.uk