Boost for digital support project in Blairgowrie and Rattray
Date: Monday 19 January
A new series of IT support sessions is getting under way in Blairgowrie and Rattray this week thanks to support from Perth and Kinross Council’s Fairer Communities For All fund.
The twice monthly digital drop-in sessions are aimed at supporting local people who may have questions or would like direct help navigating online devices and platforms.
Organised by Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT), the first month’s sessions will take place on Wednesday, January 21st, and Tuesday, January 27th from 7pm to 8pm in the BaRI Building on Blairgowrie High Street.
The dates and times of future sessions will be arranged to allow as many people as possible to access the support on offer.
Steve Johnson is BRDT’s Development Officer and will be running the sessions.
He said: “We have trialed IT support sessions before and they were well received by local residents and members of other community groups and organisations in Blairgowrie and Rattray, many of whom are volunteers.
“We’re therefore very grateful to Perth and Kinross Council and to everyone who voted for this project for awarding us this grant from the Fairer Communities For All fund and enabling us to provide a valuable service for our local community.
“The idea is that people can pop along to the BaRI Building with their own laptops, tablets or phones and receive help and advice on any issues or concerns they may be having.
“Whether it is managing social media accounts, searching the internet for information, navigating two-factor authentication, saving documents and photographs or sending emails, we’ll be on hand to help where we can.”
By offering these sessions, which will run until the end of 2026, BRDT is providing access to training for volunteers in the town, skills for work, activities and resources for those facing additional challenges, and working towards reducing digital exclusion.
The grant of £650 will cover room hire, utilities and refreshments for attendees at the sessions.
Fairer Communities for All is the new process for distributing the Community Investment Fund and Locality Participatory Budgeting Fund, and has been designed to make it easier for communities to shape local projects and influence how local funding is spent.
For the financial year 2025 to 2026 period, more than £347,000 was allocated across the 12 Perth and Kinross Wards to support community-led projects that address the cost-of-living challenges and build a better future. Since the initial allocation, the total funding in each area has been increased by £8,333 thanks to funding from the NHS Charitable Foundation, taking the overall total available to £447,000. £55,931 was available for projects in the Blairgowrie and Glens ward area.
To suggest a day or time for future sessions, email admin@brdt.org.uk
For more information on BRDT and its projects, see online at www.brdt.org.uk or follow ‘Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust’ on social media.
For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on telephone 07514 343 042 or email media@brdt.org.uk
