LOCALS in Lymm including mums and tots, teens, seniors and business owners braved -5 degree weather to take advantage of the free digital skills support offered aboard Google’s #DigitalGarage Bus.
The day was planned by Kirsty James of The Colony Networking Group in collaboration with LiveWire Warrington (who run Warrington Libraries) and the Friends of Lymm Library. It formed part of a wider vision for Lymm to encourage more business and community interaction and support the library’s future by adding more business and community services.
A team of digital experts offered free 1-2-1 advice and skills coaching as well as group workshops on topics such as getting online, staying safe, skills for work, and digital marketing for business growth.
Meanwhile, inside the library, local people sought refuge from the snow with hot drinks, cakes and relaxation taster session of yoga, reflexology and life coaching, all of which generated donations for Colony’s annual charity of the year, St. Rocco’s Hospice, Warrington.
Organiser and local business woman, Kirsty James said “I’m immensely proud of the Lymm community in which I live. Despite freezing temperatures, the #GoogleUK staff confirmed that they’d had the best numbers so far on their #DigitalGarage bus tour”.
“I doubt they’d expected their digital skills training to be run alongside yoga, reflexology, life coaching, tea and cake but the team were pretty happy with the steady stream of arrivals, aged from 1 to 92, and said they’d never had so many people on their bus”.
Kirsty had planned and promoted the event in less than a fortnight by reaching out to schools, visiting care homes, calling job centres, and contacting clubs, societies, churches, businesses and local classes, from fitness and toddler to language and reading.
It seems the risk to join business and community and bring the bus to somewhere seemingly small and local paid off. Even in the snow, the event raised over £140 for St Rocco’s and, judging by these comments, it created a buzz in the village that has motivated both individuals and businesses.
‘Our two 90+ ladies from the care home were enlightened by their experience on the bus … we’ve booked the Google garage services for ourselves and can’t wait to learn….this surfing thingy’.
‘What a fantastic and enjoyable opportunity to meet other small business owners and villagers of all ages. It was wonderful to see a global brand like Google supporting the community’.
‘The staff were so friendly and happy for my kids to play on a laptop whilst they helped me out’.
‘The Lymm youth and community association learnt a great deal from the experts on the bus and plan to go to their office in Manchester for more assistance’.
‘I’m new to Lymm and have met some lovely and very interesting people. The Google team were great! The cakes were delicious and I loved teaching the yoga classes! And I even signed up to the library! Brilliant event’.
‘A fantastic day, magnificent job organising the event so quickly and even the snow didn’t dampen everyone spirits. I met some wonderful new people, learnt lots and I’ll be starting yoga next week. A great big thank you’.
‘The three 17 years old I brought found the CV session invaluable and far exceeded the advice given by school/college as they dived into making your CV stand out and incorporating online presence into applications. Brilliant event and excellently organised and executed‘.
‘Thoroughly enjoyed the life coaching session and the 1-2-1 advice on the Google bus was so informative’.
‘Picked up some incredibly useful hints and tips. Standing room only in there. Cuppa and cakes were perfect antidote to the freezing weather too’.
‘I’ve a spring in my step again after today’s careers and CV session!! Learnt so much! Thank you!!’.
‘The Google staff were amazing and their help and enthusiasm infectious. I left with my head full of ideas and a renewed sense of purpose’.
Thanks for the event must be passed to the event organiser, Kirsty James, as well as the local businesses who donated time and services including Room Forty Vintage Teas, Sextons Bakery, The Coffee House, The Sanctuary Café, Saka-Yoga, Vivienne Charvill Clinical Reflexology, Next Steps HR and Coaching, Friends of Lymm Library, LiveWire Warrington, Andrew Collier Photography, Lymm Life Magazine. And, of course, everyone who attended – from age 1 to 92 as it turned out. The Google #DigitalGarage runs a high street digital skills training hub at 43 King St, Manchester, which offers free training and 1-2-1 coaching for anyone, 7 days a week. Details about all the topics and events offered by the
