Digitober (external link) is Greater Manchester’s annual celebration of digital inclusion, innovation, and empowerment. It runs throughout October and aligns with Get Online Week, promoting access to digital tools, skills, and services for all residents. Led by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Digital, it showcases how councils and communities are using technology to improve lives whilst ensuring all Greater Manchester (GM) residents can Get Online (external link).
To follow our team online, check out our @DigitalWigan Instagram account.
Digitober 2025 Programme
Wigan Council are delivering a vibrant and inclusive programme of TechMate Tea Parties, Tech Time events, Virtual Reality (VR) experiences, and digital workshops across libraries, community centres, and partner venues.
TechMates & Get Online Support
Friendly drop-in sessions offering digital support, conversation, and refreshments. Open to all residents to attend for free!
Locations & Dates:
- Wigan Library: 13th and 27th October, 11:30am to 1pm
- Tyldesley Library: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th October, 10:30am to 12pm
- Leigh Library: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th October, 12pm to 1:30pm
- Ashton Library: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th October, 12pm to 1:30pm
- Shevington Methodist Church: 10th and 24th October, 10:30am to 12pm
- The Globe Inn, Standish: 1st October, 10am to 12pm
- Atherton Methodist Church: 30th October, 10am to 12pm
- Chandler House: 2nd October, 1pm to 3pm
- Greengrass Centre, Atherton: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st October, 10am to 2pm
- The Brick Community Stadium, WN5 0UH: 28th October, 1pm to 3pm (This support is within a Latics Trust Extra Time group for ages 55+, no sign up is needed on first attendance, but is needed for future sessions)
- Ingeus Office, WN1 1HP: 22nd October, 10am to 12pm.
Tech Time: On Tour
Interactive digital inclusion events featuring:
- Virtual Reality experiences
- Coding clubs
- Retro gaming
- Digital support stalls
- Partner showcases.
For more Tech Time information, visit Tech Time…On Tour.
Confirmed Events (open to all residents to attend for free!):
- Dean Court (Anchor Homes): 15th October, 10:30am to 12pm
- Egerton Court (Anchor Homes): 21st October, 9:30am to 11am
- Ashland House (Think Ahead Stroke): 21st October, 12:30pm to 2:30pm
- Rebuild With Hope: 22nd October, 1:30pm to 3pm.
Digital Family Hub Launch Events
Halloween-themed TechTime on Tour:
- Mornington Road Family Hub: 28th October, 10am to 12pm
- The Meadows Family Hub: 31st October, 3:30pm to 6pm.
Workshops & Closed Sessions (closed cohorts attending)
- Big Data Workshops for Schools: Atherton and Leigh Libraries, 1st and 3rd October
- ComputerXplorers Paid Sessions: Wigan and Leigh Libraries, 28th October
- Daresbury Labs Planetarium Experience: Wigan Youth Zone, 7th October
- Henshaws Synapptic Tutorial: Wigan Library, 10th October
- The Bridgers Pop Up TechMate Tea Party, 20th October.
Digital Support
Get Online Week takes place between 20th to 26th October, so why not take advantage of the available borough wide support:
- For basic digital support, our TechMates programme and TechMate Tea Parties are great sessions for beginners. Receive your own TechMate volunteer, or join our FREE drop in Tea Party sessions to introduce yourself to the world of digital. There are a number of regular TechMate Tea Parties taking place across the borough during October. No booking required
- LearnMyWay – free online courses for beginners, helping you develop digital skills. Online basics include using a mouse and keyboard, setting up an email account, and searching and exploring the internet
- iDEA – free online courses to develop digital, enterprise and employability skills. Suitable for immediate to more advanced learners, covering subjects such as coding, social media, research and safety
- Wigan Adults Learning and Skills offer a wide variety of courses that will give you the opportunity to learn something new, update your qualifications or kick-start a new career.
Digital connectivity
Wigan Libraries offer a range of educational and recreational services - you can get online for free with access to computers and WiFi, take part in activities and learn new skills. Find your nearest digital inclusion hub (external link) or contact members of the Digital Communities Partnership for digital learning and support.
Are you working to support digitally excluded adults in Wigan?
The Tablet Lending Library aims to bridge the digital divide by helping local organisations and professionals connect digitally excluded adults to a free tablet device with data. The scheme also makes multiple tablet devices available to loan for projects run by partner organisations looking to deliver their own digital inclusion projects. If you’re an organisation working to tackle digital exclusion in Wigan borough, you can help residents and gain priority access to devices, training and data by joining the Digital Communities Partnership.
Find out what we have been doing to support residents to get online
- Digital Wigan Stories - find out how Wigan Council have been helping people to get online with access to devices, data, and a network of partners working together to support people with digital learning and skills.