For more than 30 years, Andrew successfully ran his own one-man business.
He was a mechanic and machine fabricator, and it was a job he loved and was very good at.
But the double whammy of the Covid Pandemic and Brexit hit his business hard, and he was forced to sell all his tools.
Suddenly, after years of work, the 58-year-old found himself unemployed. He had also developed diabetes that made a physical job more difficult for him.
And that’s when the government funded Seetec stepped in to help assist him back into work – including referring him to Digital Doorway for a device. Seetec supports vulnerable adults to gain, or return to, work.
He was given a laptop and a tablet and although he describes himself as a technophobe, he has been able to use the devices to help make a difference to his life.
“I live in a very remote area just outside of Stalbridge and I don’t drive, so it’s very difficult for me to physically search for work and get to places,” Andrew said.
“Having the device now makes it much easier for me to access health, banking, and employment websites, and it has also helped me stay in touch with family members.
“I am a technophobe and some aspects of using the devices still drive me mad. But I’ve been able to learn my way around Windows 10 and I can download things and use my email.
“Using the device has enabled me to secure a few factory jobs online, it has been 100 percent beneficial to me.”
Seetec has referred 10 people to Digital Doorway.
And Louise Brown, a Seetec employment adviser, said she has seen a huge benefit to the people the organisation has referred.
She explained why: “Being digital and having access to devices is so important today as it allows communication and connectivity.
“Having a device provides information and learning, work and employment opportunities, support with health and wellbeing all at the touch of a few buttons.
“We have seen how the lack of a device and connectivity has a negative impact on our participants. It hampers their abilities to access vacant job roles and complete job searching and it prevents them from completing learning and interacting with support services.”
Louise said if Digital Doorway was to continue, she would not hesitate to refer more of her participants.
“Digital Doorway is a brilliant initiative because it helps bridge the digital divide by providing people with the tools and skills they need to thrive in today’s tech-driven world,” Louise reflected.
“It’s not just about giving access to devices, but empowering individuals with the confidence to use them in ways that open new opportunities—whether in education, work, or personal growth. This project can really change lives by connecting people to the digital world.”