August 25th, 2024 by Claire - Village Web Company CIC
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of delivering a family workshop on behalf of MadLab. I decided to teach the young people a little bit about building websites by showing them how to edit some HTML (Hypertext Mark Up Language) The children thoroughly enjoyed it and several asked for more information so that they could carry on at home.
HTML is the code that all websites are made with and although lots of things in web development can be difficult to learn, HTML is quite easy, especially compared to most programming languages.
Lots of people think that they need a top of the range computer and lots of complicated software to start learning web development, but that’s not true. To start learning HTML all you need is a web browser (eg Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Safari) and a code editor. We chose to use Visual Studio Code (also known as VS Code.) During the workshop, the families used laptops provided by MadLab, which already had VS Code installed and at least one web browser.
During the workshop, we gave the families a folder containing the code for a simple website. The website had no styling, no images and very little content. It was a very very boring website, but it contained everything they needed to get started.
1 HTML file called index.html
1 CSS file called style.css (which was not applied)
1 folder called images containing 6 image files (sweets.jpg, kittens.jpg, puppies.jpg, unicorns.jpg, picture.jpg and claire.jpg
1 image file called claire-and-wapuu.jpg
After introducing them to our boring website, I talked them through the basics of how we use a code editor to change the content on a website and view our changes in the browser.
The children then started to update the boring website by editing the content to change the main heading and include the details of their favourite foods and their favourite books or films. We then moved onto HTML comments. Their index.html file contained several lines of code which were hidden with comments, including a picture of me at a conference, stood next to a mascot.
Once the children managed to include the “hidden” image, we showed them how to change the picture for one of the others stored in the images folder.
By the end of the hour the children (and their grown ups) had updated a website and learned how to edit several HTML elements. The next step would be to give the children chance to edit some of the CSS styling, but it’s always much better to leave people excited to learn more than overwhelmed with too much content crammed into a short time.
I had a wonderful time with the families and will be sending them a tutorial shortly.
Posted in VillageWebCo | Comments Off on Teaching Web Development with Boring Website Workshops
January 8th, 2024 by Claire - Village Web Company CIC
We have a part time vacancy for a Digital Marketing Assistant at our shop in Romiley Precinct.
This would be an ideal job for somebody that likes social media and has an interest in how it can be used for business. Prior experience is not necessary, as full training will be given, but this role is unlikely to be suitable for somebody that is not comfortable using a smart phone or computer.
This is a digital marketing role and will teach you how to use social media platforms on behalf of a small business, including how to monitor the performance of websites and online accounts. This role also includes helping to maintain our online gift shop.
How to Apply
Please read the full job description before applying and please note that this is a Saturday job, not a full time position.
January 8th, 2024 by Claire - Village Web Company CIC
Job Description
Village Web Company CIC builds websites, runs training courses and free activities to develop digital skills and confidence.
As a Digital Marketing Assistant you will be taught how to update and monitor our in house websites and social media accounts, in addition to learning the necessary skills to deliver these activities for other businesses. The ideal candidate for this job will be somebody with an interest in social media, that is willing and able to work independently when necessary.
This is a digital marketing role and will teach you how to use social media platforms on behalf of a small business, including how to monitor the performance of websites and online accounts. You will be taught how social media activity fits into a wider marketing plan and how to create a Content Calendar to help schedule online content. This role also includes helping to maintain our online gift shop.
As part of your “on the job” training, you will be taught how to create content for use on websites, blogs and social media and learn about the importance of accessibility when posting online. Throughout your time here, you will keep a record of your digital marketing journey and create a portfolio of your work, to help showcase your talents and advance your career prospects in the future.
As this is a small business, you must be willing to work flexibly and you will be expected to do work which is not directly connected to digital marketing, such as general admin tasks, dealing with customers and reception duties. You will be provided with full training for any task you are asked to do.
Duties
Helping to create content for social media
Updating and monitoring the performance of existing social media accounts.
General admin tasks such as:
Checking and responding to emails
Answering phone calls and taking messages when necessary
Updating paper based and online systems
Providing updates on projects and marketing campaigns
Updating our online gift shop and monitoring its performance.
Greeting customers, training course delegates and other visitors
Person Specification
This would be an ideal job for somebody that likes social media and has an interest in how it can be used for business. Prior experience of digital marketing is not necessary, as full training will be given, but this role is unlikely to be suitable for somebody that is not comfortable using a smart phone or computer. Must be willing to work as directed for the overall good of the business.
Prior Experience Required
Must be able to use a computer and a smart phone.
Experience of using email would be useful, but not essential.
Location:
Village Web Company CIC 9 The Precinct Romiley Stockport SK6 4EA
Hours of Work
Saturdays 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Salary
£6.00 per hour (rising to £6.40 in April 2024) or minimum wage based on your age.
If you have any questions about the role or would like a chat to discuss the job before applying, please contact Claire on 07971 691 996
Closing Date
Please apply by 10.00 pm on Friday 19th January 2024
August 9th, 2023 by Claire - Village Web Company CIC
An Impact Report is designed to show how the work we do makes a difference to those we support. Village Web Company CIC has two main goals as a community interest company (CIC) which are to fight digital exclusion and increase diversity in the UK tech industry. My mission is to make sure that everyone is able to make the most of the internet, that includes: offering affordable websites to small businesses and start ups; providing inclusive work experience placements to students from local high schools and colleges and delivering free to attend activities and drop ins that help develop digital skills and confidence.
The United Kingdom has a huge digital divide and every time a public service has to be accessed online instead of in person or over the phone, there are people left behind and that is the main reason why I chose to become a social enterprise, instead of a traditional tech company.
If you’re interested in the work I’ve done so far, feel free to view the report below. (An accessible version of this report will be added shortly. Please let me know if you would like to be notified when this is available. )
June 22nd, 2023 by Claire - Village Web Company CIC
Village Web Company have been working with The Manchester College to offer work experience placements to students studying BTECs and T-Levels.
In June I welcomed four T-Level students who are working here at our shop in Romiley village. They are in their final few weeks of study and will all be starting their careers in various parts of the tech industry.
Usually I focus on teaching people how to do a particular thing or helping them with basic digital skills, these placements are very different. None of my current student team need help using a computer, but working in digital is about more than just writing code and that’s why they’re here. They are getting experience of working in a real business and I get to make the most of their amazing skills by working with them on web development and data projects that will make a lasting difference to my little social enterprise. We will also be running a digital drop in event where they will help me support members of the local community who need help doing things online.
During their time here the team will be contributing to our GitHub and writing regular blog posts about their experiences and the work they’ve been doing.
February 20th, 2023 by Claire - Village Web Company CIC
Here at Village Web Company the main things on sale are websites and training courses, but in the very near future you will also be able to buy digital themed gifts.
I love all things digital so the new ranges will all have a connection to computers, mobile phones or computer games. Some of the products will be functional such as phone chargers and cases, whilst others might feature your favourite game characters.
As with our web services, anything you buy from Village Web Company helps to fight digital exclusion. As a Community Interest Company (CIC) all profits are used to offer free workshops and activities to help people learn digital skills.
Claire
Posted in Fundraising | Comments Off on Time To Go Shopping
August 1st, 2022 by Claire - Village Web Company CIC
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for Village Web Company CIC with easyfundraising?
There are over 6,000 shops and sites on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds.
