Since their inception at the Hub in late 2023, the Beginner and Intermediate Digital Discovery Courses—held in partnership with BCHA and led by Andy Merchant—have helped over a hundred locals gain valuable skills and boost their digital confidence. We spoke with some of the learners to see how the courses have impacted their daily lives.

Mary-Temple Lance

“I signed up for both Digital Discovery courses because I wanted to get back into learning and overcome my anxiety about technology. Before starting, I found tech terminology confusing and intimidating, especially since I wasn't regularly using my laptop at home. My biggest challenge was feeling lost and worried about looking silly, but Andy, our instructor, was fantastic at making everything clear and comfortable.

My favourite part was meeting new people and realising we were all facing similar struggles. That sense of community made me feel supported and less overwhelmed. My confidence grew significantly—I learned practical skills like using cloud storage on my phone, and I no longer felt left behind by technology.

I strongly encourage anyone thinking about taking these courses to give it a try; you’ll surprise yourself, build confidence, and enjoy connecting with others in the same boat.”

Mary Temple-Lance

Janet Burrows

“I initially joined the Digital Discovery courses because I wanted to become more comfortable using my computer and iPad, which had been a birthday gift from my sister. The sessions with Andy were fantastic. He was patient, thorough, and always willing to repeat things until I understood, never making me feel rushed.

One particular session on Google was eye-opening, teaching me practical skills such as managing emails, recognising spam, and checking my device’s security settings. These skills directly improved my daily life by giving me more confidence and control when dealing with technology.

The Digital Discovery courses boosted my confidence and helped me realise I knew more than I initially thought. The practical tips and relaxed teaching style made me feel less overwhelmed. I'd highly recommend these courses—especially those taught by Andy—as they genuinely open up new possibilities and give you the confidence to handle tech independently.”

Rosangela Cooper

“I took the Digital Discovery courses, with a particular focus on Microsoft skills, because I wanted to improve my abilities in online shopping and managing documents effectively. These courses significantly boosted my confidence and practical skills.

I strongly recommend these courses to friends and family. Andy was incredibly supportive and made the experience enjoyable, helping me feel at ease while learning new skills.”

Rosangela Cooper

Sylvia Rogers

“I decided to take the Digital Discovery courses because I wanted to better understand the keys on my laptop and fully utilise its capabilities. Before starting, my biggest challenge was feeling like I wasn't making the most of my laptop’s potential. I was particularly excited to learn how to effectively use the ‘tab’ key.

Initially, I was worried about falling behind and looking foolish in front of others. However, realising that other participants were in the same boat boosted my confidence. The best part of the course was getting hands-on practice, having helpful discussions, and gaining new knowledge at a comfortable pace.

Since completing the course, my confidence has improved—although I’ve noticed I need regular practice to retain my new skills, especially since I'm nearly 87 years old. I now regularly use the ‘tab’ key when filling out forms and feel comfortable using the calculator.

I was particularly interested in learning how to scan documents and transfer photos from a digital camera to my laptop, though I recognise photo transfers might belong in a more advanced class. Overall, the course was valuable and made daily tasks much easier for me.”

Andy Merchant and a busy class at the Hub!