'I was old school but digital skills changed my life'

A 63-year-old man who has learned how to access online banking for the first time has said digital skills workshops at his local library have "changed my life".

Stephen Smith is one of the tens of thousands of residents of Greater Manchester considered to be digitally excluded, according to the combined authority.

He has been getting support at sessions that teach digital skills in Golborne Library, in Wigan, as part of a wider scheme across the region.

"People used to call me a dinosaur because I had no digital skills whatsoever, because I was old school," Mr Smith said.

An estimated 93,000 adults over the age of 75 in Greater Manchester are considered to be digitally excluded, according to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, with a third never having never used the internet

"I've picked up how to go paperless with my car insurance, I've learnt how to do powerpoints, send emails, set up direct debits," Mr Smith said.

"It's just nice to be in this digital modern world, eventually."

The scheme in Wigan is one of several across the region where 170 digital champions have been chosen to help those struggling with technology or access to online services.

The sessions are taking place in all 10 boroughs over the next year as part of Greater Manchester's "Live Well'" strategy to reduce isolation and ensure that every resident has access to the services they need.

Michael Hurst, another attendee at the Golborne Library session, said he was helped to print off tickets for a rugby match, as he has no printer.

"The support has been very useful," he said.

"I really am not very savvy at all , but I can do stuff like email and online banking now."

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