Digital Dacorum

Go ON Dacorum logo With 91.1% of people in the borough having been online, and with annual savings from using the internet averaging £560 a household, there's never been a better time to get online. Teaming up with digital skills charity Go ON UK, we've pulled together a list of places where you can get low-cost equipment, free access to the internet and online courses. We've also researched where you can go in Dacorum to get help and training with laptops, tablets and smartphones.

Why are we doing this?

If people access council services online (where possible) we could be saving up to £8 of taxpayers' money per transaction, allowing us to continue to move money into frontline services, which benefit you. In addition, anything that reduces the time that it takes for us to process a request, or where you can self-serve, makes life better for us and you.

What can we do for you?

We've compiled different links and resources to help you access the internet, find equipment and discover ways to teach yourself or others. Click on the links below for more information.

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  • Low-cost equipment
    • If you live in a rural area, you should be able to get a refurbished laptop or desktop from the Arthur Rank Centre.
    • Tablets are becoming increasingly inexpensive, often selling for less than £100. They are available from a wide range of retailers, including Argos, Amazon and many others.
    • There are also recycling groups, such as Freegle and Freecycle, where computer equipment occasionally becomes available. Also check your local newspaper's classifieds section for second-hand computers for sale.
  • Access to computers and free Wi-Fi
    • Many of our community centres offer a drop-in internet cafe at various points during the week. You can find out more on the Dacorum Learning Partnership webpage.
    • All Hertfordshire Libraries in Dacorum offer free Wi-Fi and low-cost access to computers, as well as printers and scanners. You can even book online. Visit the Hertfordshire Libraries page for more information.
    • Frogmore Mill in Apsley - a UK Online Centre - offers computer help and access at various times of the week. More details can be found on its Computer Help page.
    • There are various places across the borough, including in the Marlowes and Old Town, that offer Wi-Fi access. Look out for a symbol by the entrance to see if it is offered.
  • Access to online courses
    • Digital skills charity Digital Unite has published a series of user guides, covering everything from the basics to more complex digital skills. These can be found on its site for Digital Champions. UK Online Centres have also created an online course for 'Being a Digital Champion', giving you the skills you need to help friends, family and your community. 
    • The BBC has created a series of articles and videos on its Webwise site, covering a variety of digital skills.
  • Access to face-to-face courses
    • Dacorum Community for Learning offers frequent face-to-face courses in a variety of community centres across Dacorum. For details on course content, please visit the Dacorum Community for Learning website. Courses are advertised on its Facebook page.
    • You can book computer lessons with Hertfordshire Libraries. The lessons are low cost (or no cost for certain concessions) and cover a variety of subjects.