A tech team and their dalek friend helps to bridge the digital gap in Oldham

Oldham Community Interest Company Inclusive Bytes has brought together young tech students and volunteers who want to gain experience with local residents who may feel less confident with technology.

By working side by side - the volunteers develop valuable social skills - while helping others build confidence in using the Internet and digital tools.  

The aim is to close the digital gap and make the online world feel less overwhelming for people who are not familiar with it.  

Oldham Council has teamed up with Inclusive Bytes, as part of its commitment to make the borough one of the most digitally inclusive towns in the UK, by working to increase the number of residents who can access digital services 15 minutes from home and empowering individuals and organisations to make better use of technology. 

This summer, Inclusive Bytes opened a community tech space in the Spindles shopping centre, with free workshops running throughout the school holidays including bridge building, 3D printing, pixel art and fuse beads, building your own traffic lights and Oobleck - a gooey substance that behaves like a liquid and a solid. 

One family were shown how to get to grips with using a 3D pen after popping in while waiting to get a set of keys cut at the nearby branch of Timpson. 

Founder Andy Powell found an effective way to lead people into his shop - by sending his Dalek friend Bob out into the Spindles, and he's proven to be a big hit with shoppers whose jaws have dropped open at the sight of a human-sized robotic character trundling towards them. 

Operated by remote control, Bob was a spur-of-the-moment eBay purchase by Andy, and Bob was fitted with a motor and wheels by the talented Inclusive Bytes team, who are aged 16 to 22.  

"The looks on people's faces have been priceless," said Andy. "Some think it's a person in a suit and ask 'is it hot in there?' 

"We teach people everything from basic digital skills and getting online, to coding, gaming and virtual reality.   

"We are making technology interesting and fun for children and adults, and at the same time our volunteers are learning soft skills. 

"We have been showing some people their first digital skills, helping them to combat their fears or with something that excites them. 

"When we explain to people that technology is a human creation it makes it less daunting for them." 

Sidney Bradley (21), was on a summer placement with Inclusive Bytes during a break from their Theoretical Physics course at Lancaster University. 

"It's very enriching. A highlight for me was working on the code to make the Dalek move. 

"My big passion is computer science and the placement here is providing me with teamwork skills and the opportunity to work with and help others." 

Paddy Bond (22), was also on a placement through Oldham College, where he studied T-level Digital Infrastructure, and is now at Inclusive Bytes full time. He is now working towards a career in cyber security. 

Paddy said: "The placement has given me the confidence to interact with people, and it has helped me to be able to look people in the eye. 

"At the same time we are teaching people digital skills in a useable, digestible way."