Google Digital Garage is coming to the Pyramid on 4 July, offering local people and businesses free advice and coaching on their digital skills to help them grow their business, career or confidence.
Several leading organisations have joined forces to stage this event as part of a drive to showcase the support on offer to growing small businesses in the region.
The event is being organised by Colony Networking and The Business Exchange by Warrington & Co who both organise networking events and offer business growth services. Further support to cover event costs has also been provided by NatWest and The Sharples Group.
The Google Digital Garage is one of Google’s flagship investment programmes in the UK, where anyone can come and learn free digital skills through a range of courses or 1:1 sessions. Since launching the Google Digital Garage in 2015, over 300,000 people have benefitted from Google’s free face-to-face training on digital know-how across 500 locations in the UK.
Entitled ‘Independence Day, the event has been purposely timed to run on Independence Day to reflect the strong and independently-minded character of the Warrington business community. Since Google #DigitalGarage assists thousands of independent small businesses and individuals via its centres and touring bus, they provide a perfect addition to this event.
Event co-organiser and owner of Colony Networking, Kirsty James, said “As a start-up lead with the Business Exchange and a networking consultant working with small businesses, I find that business owners are often unaware of how much funded and affordable support is on offer, or they are overwhelmed by the number of organisations seeming to offer similar services.”
“After working successfully with the Google #Digital Garage team last year and getting requests to run another event involving them, I’m thrilled that they have agreed to participate in such a collaborative Warrington event that will inform, entertain and inspire our region’s small businesses.”
Ronan Harris, Google UK & Ireland Managing Director, said: ‘In the digital age, a basic understanding of how the online world works is useful and when it comes to business, it’s essential. We are delighted to bring the Google Digital Garage to Warrington and ensure everyone has access to free digital skills workshops and 1:1 coaching. We hope you’ll pop in and get the skills you need to become more confident online, grow your career or business, and maybe even launch the next big idea.”
The event is being hosted by Opus in Pyramid, Palmyra Square South, Warrington, WA1 1BL. The location has been specifically chosen for its creative and digital relevance and pivotal position in the cultural heart of Warrington. Opus, run by Carpe Diem, is the new digital and creative co-working space located within Pyramid which is run by Culture Warrington.
Founder of Opus, Bill Carr, commented “We’re delighted to be supporting this event, opening the doors to our new creative space, and sharing our vision of the Warrington digital landscape with the local business community.”
A programme of activities is planned from 9am-2pm and will include networking, speakers, business support information stands, funded programme advice, a panel discussion introducing and explaining the role of many of Warrington’s key business support organisations, lunch, and talks and training directly from Google #DigitalGarage. Pre-booking is required.
Business Exchange Manager, Jackie Emson, said “This event is hugely exciting for Warrington’s businesses and we hope that people will visit to take advantage of the free support on offer.”
To obtain more details about the event and to register, please visit wbexcolonyindependenceday.eventbrite.co.uk or call Jackie Emson on 01925 443294.
The event is offered to business attendees without charge, though voluntary donations can be made on the door to the organisers chosen Warrington charity, Creating Adventures, who support adults with autism and learning disabilities (See: creatingadventures.co.uk )
For more information about Google #DigitalGarage, visit learndigital.withgoogle.com/digitalgarage
