Online messaging, safety, and using your phone in an emergency are some of the skills residents across Exmouth and Axminster are set to develop via free monthly workshops.

The workshops will be aimed at satisfying the needs of residents of all demographics and equipping attendees to better utilise technology.

The 'Forever Connected - creating digital confidence' project, set to take place over the next year, is being conducted by the East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) Housing Community Development team in partnership with Cosmic, an East Devon-based social enterprise.

The first workshop in Exmouth will take place at 2pm on Tuesday, July 2 at Palmer House, while Axminster will host its first workshops at 2pm on Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, July 16 at Millwey Community Centre.

The locations of these venues and details on how to join can be found on the council’s website.

From September, the workshop will start at 10am, followed by drop-in mentoring sessions at 12.30pm, which aim to provide additional support, learning, and responses to any questions raised.

These will take place on the first Tuesday of every month at Ratcliffe House, Burnside in Exmouth, and the third Tuesday of each month at Millwey Community Centre in Axminster.

Cllr Dan Ledger, EDDC's portfolio holder for Sustainable Homes and Communities, said: "It’s fantastic to see EDDC working in partnership with Cosmic again to deliver these workshops.

"Hopefully these sessions will empower our tenants, allow them to gain vital skills and build confidence with the use of technology."

Julie Hawker, Cosmic’s CEO, said: "As we navigate an era marked by profound digital advancements, equipping tenants with essential new digital skills is no longer a benefit—it's a necessity

"We recognise that digital inclusion is not just an initiative—it is the foundation upon which we build stronger, more resilient communities."