by Tim Nuttall
A day-long festival of technology designed to break down barriers and empower individuals to explore and develop their digital capabilities will take place at Withernsea’s Shores Centre on Friday, September 27.
DASH Fest, which runs between 11am and 3pm, will showcase the power of technology in a variety of contexts, from entry-level engagement in IT to creative technologies that facilitate music production, digital photography, video editing and 3D printing.
The festival is the latest milestone in a continuing project led by Shores to expand and promote digital inclusion in the community. This is being achieved under the banner of DASH (Digital Access Skills Hub) thanks to investment from the centre itself, as well as central government funding secured from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Last December, Shores opened DASH Studio One – a community resource available to anyone seeking to develop an entry-level understanding of computer equipment, apps and websites.
A weekly timetable of activities, exploring topics such as online safety, the use of email and basic word processing and document creation, was established to help users learn, develop and thrive in the online world.
The success of Studio One has now paved the way for the creation of DASH Creative, a second studio that aims to nurture talent and inspire creativity in areas such as music, media and 3D modelling. This is set to be followed in the new year with the DASH Fab Lab, a third studio which will facilitate laser engraving, 3D printing and digital embroidery to enable the transfer of digital ideas into physical products.
Shores CEO Jayne Nendick said: “With an increasing amount of our lives spent online, it is important that we help to bridge gaps in knowledge and finances to help everyone have access to the digital skills and technology that they need.
“Through our DASH projects we are aiming to develop skills at both an entry level and, thanks to recent investment and expansion, a more advanced and creative level. Ultimately, we want to give people access to new technologies which we hope will inspire an appetite for learning and creativity – particularly through our creative studio and planned ‘fab lab’ which could ultimately pave the way for career and business opportunities.
“Getting started in any business can be quite costly, so we are here to help remove some of the barriers by offering access to equipment which would otherwise cost hundreds or thousands of pounds.”
The DASH Fest event will see the centre’s studios combine as one in the venue’s function room, creating a digital playground that will offer hands-on experiences with a variety of equipment including Apple Macs, Mac Studios, tablets, 360 cameras, musical instruments and gaming platforms. Visitors will also be able to see 3D printing and laser engraving in action.
Jane added: “The main aim of the festival is to encourage digital inclusion. Many people remain either disengaged or haven’t had the chance to explore these technologies before. We aim to change that. With funding from the UKSPF, secured thanks to a proposal managed by East Riding Council, we are now in a position to promote exciting and engaging technologies.”
From its inception, the DASH project has not only helped to develop digital skills, it has also created IT access opportunities for those without equipment of their own. This has been particularly useful when providing a platform for jobseekers to access job-search websites and the National Careers Service, with support also given to those wanting to create or improve their CVs.
The initial studio has also served as a space for self-study, where equipment can be booked for users to access online courses and free learning resources. An Everyday Maths numeracy session, plus support with personal and professional development, has also been made available.
For those interested in pursuing learning opportunities and gaining qualifications, representatives from the East Riding’s adult learning and employability team will be on hand at DASH Fest to promote relevant courses.
To date, £22,000 has been invested in the DASH project. This includes £15,000 from the UKSPF and a further £7,000 from Shores.
For further information, contact Shores on 01964 615190 or visit them at 29-31 Seaside Road, Withernsea.
