Weymouth Digital Skills Hub

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Building confidence, strengthening communities, and opening new opportunities

Over four months, the Weymouth Digital Skills Hub brought together residents, learners, businesses, volunteers, and partner organisations to create something truly special. A welcoming space where people could develop their digital skills, gain confidence, and open new doors for their future.

Thank you to everyone who took part.

Your involvement shaped the hub into a supportive, vibrant, community‑led space, and your energy and commitment have had a lasting impact on Weymouth.

What we offered

Across the pilot, the hub delivered a wide range of opportunities, including:

beginner digital skills courses
Microsoft Office workshops (beginner to intermediate)
online safety and confidence‑building sessions
digital employability training
business‑focused digital workshops and masterclasses
one‑to‑one support from Digital Champions
Community Connect Fridays drop‑in support

This mix ensured that everyone, from jobseekers to small businesses, from community groups to retirees, could find the support they needed.

What we achieved together

The pilot programme offered digital support to people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and ambitions. From complete beginners to professionals looking to strengthen their digital toolkit.

Here’s a snapshot of just some of the impact we created as a community.

Real stories, real impact

Behind every course and every workshop is a person with a story. The hub helped many people move forward in life, work, wellbeing, and confidence.

Explore our collection of case studies, including:

Nigel Swinden

Strengthened his digital skills to take on new responsibilities as an Operations Manager. Boosting his confidence with Excel, PowerPoint, and reporting.

Kerry Smith

Used AI and design tools from our marketing masterclass to transform her charity’s digital presence and now supports colleagues to do the same.

What Happens Next?

The future of the Weymouth Digital Skills Hub is still under review as we continue working with partners to explore options for longer-term digital support in the area.

We will share updates as soon as there is news to share.

Thank You

We want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make the Weymouth Digital Skills Hub such a supportive and inspiring place to learn. To every resident who joined a course or workshop, thank you for your enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to try something new. To our wonderful volunteers, your patience and encouragement made all the difference to learners who simply needed someone to believe in them. And to our partners, thank you for standing alongside us, sharing your expertise, and helping us reach the people who needed this support most.

The success of the hub was only possible because of the collective effort of everyone involved. Your commitment has helped strengthen digital confidence across the community, and we are genuinely grateful for everything you contributed.

Our impact at a glance

Between September and December 2025:

125 course and workshop completions
30 accredited qualifications gained
22 local organisations supported through training
177+ digital skill improvements across the community

Measured through pre and post course assessments based on the Essential Digital Skills Framework, showing clear increases in confidence across multiple everyday digital tasks.

Financial benefits to the community

The hub generated an estimated £84,000 in annual recurring value, through:

Increased earnings potential
Improved financial management
Productivity gains for local businesses
Reduced travel/time costs through online services
Better access to digital health tools

These benefits continue each year as learners use their new skills.

We offered a broad range of accessible digital training

Training we offered includes:

Basic beginner digital skills courses
Microsoft Office workshops (beginner to intermediate)
Online safety and confidence building sessions
Employability-focused digital skills training
Business-oriented digital workshops and masterclasses
Drop-in support from Digital Champions and at Community Connect Fridays

The hub also contributed to

The hub also contributed to:

Increased digital confidence and independence
Better access to online public services
Improved online safety awareness
Reduced digital exclusion and social isolation
Stronger employability and future opportunities

Leading to more resilient communities and stronger partnerships across local services.

Even in this short timeframe, the hub created meaningful, lasting change, providing clear evidence for developing a longer-term Digital Skills Hub model in Dorset.

How learners are now using their digital skills

How learners are using their digital skills:

46% Can now apply for jobs online
32% Will manage finances or benefits digitally
18% To shop online for better value
18% Will use digital tools for health and wellbeing
14% Are supporting a business or undertake work tasks online
11% Can access council services independently

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