Tea, Tech and Togetherness at Greenfields

Tea, Tech and Togetherness at Greenfields

Residents at Greenfields Sheltered Accommodation Scheme were welcomed to an informal and friendly TechMate Pop Up recently, as part of Digital Wigan’s commitment to reaching people where they are and removing digital barriers within the community.

Instead of expecting residents to travel elsewhere for support, the Digital Communities Team brought TechMate directly to Greenfields. Over 20 residents attended throughout the session, dropping in for tea, coffee, conversation and digital help, creating a warm and sociable atmosphere alongside practical support.

Residents arrived with a wide range of digital questions and issues, from phone and tablet support to online access and confidence-building. For many attendees, this pop-up made all the difference. Several residents shared that without TechMates coming to the scheme, they may never have gone out to seek help or resolved their digital problems at all. By popping up on-site, the team opened doors, reduced anxiety around technology and made support feel approachable and accessible.

The session wasn’t limited to Greenfields residents either. The local community was invited along, with people from neighbouring bungalows and nearby homes joining in on the afternoon. This helped turn the event into a wider community get-together, reinforcing connection, confidence and inclusion through shared learning and conversation.

Greenfields Sheltered Accommodation Scheme is part of the wider Digital Communities Partnership, and this event was a strong example of true partnership working in action. By working closely with sheltered schemes, Digital Wigan continues to ensure residents are not left behind as services and communication move increasingly online. Staff support, community trust and local engagement all played a key role in making the session such a success.

The TechMate Pop Up at Greenfields demonstrated how bringing digital support directly into sheltered settings can remove barriers, build confidence and strengthen community connection. Through friendly advice, patience and a cuppa, residents were empowered to take small but meaningful steps forward with their digital skills.

Events like this continue to highlight the value of partnership-led, community-based digital support, proving that sometimes the most effective way to help is simply to show up, sit down, and make technology feel a little less daunting and a lot more human.