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National Databank – Free SIM cards available in Knowsley Libraries
National Databank – Free SIM cards available in Knowsley Libraries
Knowsley Libraries have partnered with the Good Things Foundation, to offer SIM cards to those who are experiencing data poverty. The National Databank scheme is supported by UK mobile networks Vodafone, O2 and Three, and offers vital connections for anyone cut off from the basic daily activities most people take for granted, such as accessing services online, preparing for a job interview, finding essential health information online or indeed keeping in touch with loved ones.
If you’re a Knowsley resident and meet the eligibility criteria listed below, then pop to your local library to pick up a free SIM card.
Eligibility criteria
To be able to receive data through the National Databank you must:
- Be 18+ years old
- And be from a low-income household
You must also qualify in one of the following statements:
- Have no access or insufficient access to the internet at home
- Have no or insufficient access to the internet when away from the home
- Cannot afford their existing monthly contract or top up
A person can have access to data for up to 12 months.
Free Digital 1-2-1 Support Sessions
Free digital 1-2-1 support sessions
Our digital buddies run free one-to-one support sessions to help you feel more confident using the internet and online services.
Our digital buddies can help you with things such as:
- emailing
- browsing the web and staying safe online
- video calling
- online shopping and banking
- Social media
- using online council services, such as:
- using online chat
- accessing online forms to apply or report something to us
- searching for and applying for social housing
- using online library services, including eBooks and eAudio and your online library account
If you would like support then please contact either your local branch or click on the link below and fill in the form.
Cost of Living
Need support with the cost-of-living crisis?
You can find a wealth of information online, from how to access food through to mental health support, debt management and meals on a budget:
https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/cost-of-living-support/
Alternatively, you can call 0151 443 3300, use our online chat facility or pop in to one of our local libraires.
Wi-Fi Printing
Printing from WiFi
WiFi printing is now available at all Knowsley Libraries and it has never been easier!
You can access WiFi printing from most devices running Android and Apple, Windows laptops and Windows phones.
The following instructions will assist with how to print from your smartphone, laptop or tablet.
What you need to connect
- A wireless enabled device.
- A web browser (e.g. Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari) installed on your phone, laptop or tablet. You can use any standard internet ready browser or any operating system.
How to get connected
- Select ‘Knowsley Libraries’ in your network settings and connect using the password: Library2017
- Select the document that you wish to print and then find the branch printer from your menu. For some more detailed instructions for both Android and Apple users please click here.
- Once you have clicked print then speak to a member of staff to pay for your printouts, and we will print the document for you.
Tea & Tech
Tea and Tech
Would you like to feel more confident using your phone or tablet?
Don’t know where to beginning with using a computer?
Would you like to know what an App is, how to use the Wi-Fi?
Whether you want to learn how to use your tablet, set up an email account, shop online, use the Wi-Fi or just get online and explore the digital world then our friendly staff will be happy to help you get started over a cup of tea!
All sessions are FREE, no booking required – just drop-in:
Monday 10.15 – 11.15 @ Kirkby Library
Monday 14:00 – 17:00 @ Stockbridge Village Library
Thursday 14.30- 15.30 @ Halewood Library
Friday 10.00 – 13.00 @ Huyton Library
FACE also Digital Drop-In Sessions in some of our Libraries. These are FREE to access and open to everyone. The aim of the sessions is to provide help and support to the community with basic, every day digital skills, e.g. social media, emails, using the internet safely and securely, managing a Universal Credit account, accessing the Property Pool, Zoom etc.
Tuesday 10.00am – 12.30 @ Kirkby Library
Tuesday 1.30 – 3.30Pm @ Huyton Library
Wednesday 12.30 – 3.30pm @ Prescot Library
Cost of Living
Cost of living support
We know that the extra costs of food and essentials and the rising domestic energy prices are adding significant pressures to household budgets for many people in Knowsley.
But there is help and support available to help you with essentials such as food, help with energy costs (prepayment and credit meters).
As well as the support outlined below, Knowsley Council has allocated funding from the Government’s Household Support Fund to provide food vouchers to pupils who have been means tested and are in receipt of free school meals. This will fund the October, December, February and April school holidays, providing support to over 8,500 pupils.
Vulnerable residents who are being supporting through the council’s Adult Social Care or Children’s Services teams are also receiving bespoke support aligned to their identified needs.
Help with food
Food is available to Knowsley residents through:
- Knowsley Foodbank – either by obtaining a referral voucher from a partner (including GPs or Citizens Advice), or by calling the Knowsley Food Support line on 0151 538 8243. View a list of their distribution centres.
- Through a network of community partners working with the council through the Knowsley Better Together Hardship Fund. Contact details, opening hours and further detail of these individual offers can be found by visiting the Knowsley Better Together Hardship Fund page on the council’s website.
The food offer is available across the borough as follows:
- Halewood – Torrington Drive Community Association, St Nicholas and St Marys Church
- Huyton – Swanside Community Centre, Incredible Edibles, Homestart, HIYA
- Kirkby – Southdene Community Centre, Centre 63
- Stockbridge – Stockbridge Tenants Forum
- Prescot – Al’s Arc, FOESP (Friends of Eaton Street Park)
- Borough-wide sites – Knowsley Foodbank, Flourish and Succeed
Residents in need can access any of these services. Many partners also run a social supermarket, or food club which offers food and essentials to residents at reduced prices, helping to keep the cost of the weekly shop down. Where residents are struggling to afford to use these options, these partners can provide food for free.
Discounted food shops
A number of discounted food shops, offering a range of food and household essentials at significantly reduced prices, are available at:
Centre 63, Old Hall Lane in Kirkby – open Wednesdays 10am to 2pm.
Torrington Drive Community Association, New Hutte Community Centre, Lichfield Road in Halewood – open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Stockbridge Community Hub, Unit 2, Leach Croft in Stockbridge Village – open Tuesdays 12noon to 2pm.
The Park Pantry Community Food Hub, The Pavillion, Eaton Street in Prescot – open Wednesdays 11am to 2pm.
Community Food Hub at Court Hey Park, Huyton – Incredible Edible run a Community Food Hub from Court Hey Park in Huyton offering discounted food as well as home grown vegetables. Call in on Tuesdays from 12pm until 2pm or Fridays from 11am until 2pm.
Warm Hubs
Warm Hubs being introduced in Knowsley
The £3.5m Knowsley Better Together Fund has been providing invaluable help and support to residents, ensuring they have access to essentials such as food and heating.
Earlier this month, the Council approved a number of Warm Hubs to operate across the Borough.
Knowsley Council operates five libraries across the Borough. From 1 November, all libraries will be open from 10am until 5pm Monday to Friday and from 10am until 1pm on Saturday.
In addition, community groups who want to extend their opening hours to provide Warm Hubs will be able to apply for a Winter Wellness Grant. The application process will open next week and further details will be shared on www.knowsleynews.co.uk
Halewood Library, Roseheath Drive, Halewood, L26 9UH
Telephone: 0151 443 2086 or email yourlibrary@knowsley.gov.uk
Huyton Library, Civic Way, Huyton, L36 9GD
Telephone: 0151 443 3734 or email yourlibrary@knowsley.gov.uk
Kirkby Library, Norwich Way, Kirkby, L32 8XY
Telephone: 0151 443 4289 or email yourlibrary@knowsley.gov.uk
Prescot Library, The Prescot Centre, Aspinall Street, Prescot, L34 5GA
Telephone: 0151 443 5101 or email yourlibrary@knowsley.gov.uk
Stockbridge Library, The Withens, Stockbridge Village, L28 1AB.
Telephone: 0151 443 2501 or email yourlibrary@knowsley.gov.uk
All of the borough’s libraries provide free access to PCs and WiFi, so as well as using the library as a Warm Hub, you can also use the PCs to find out the latest cost of living help and support that is available as well as comparing prices for your energy and phone tariffs etc. You can either book an appointment or walk up to use a PC if any are available. For more information about this service, please contact your local branch.
Cllr Jayne Aston, Cabinet Member for Resources, said “In the absence of central Government support, we are doing all that we can to ensure that our residents have the right support at the right time.”
“Heating homes is one of the biggest expenses we have at this time of year so we are ensuring our residents have somewhere warm and safe that they can go if they are concerned about the rising energy costs.”
“We have five libraries across the borough which will be open six days a week from 1 November. We will be extending our opening hours for all five libraries from next month, ensuring our residents can access warm spaces, which also includes free access to PCs and WiFi. In addition, we are working with a range of community groups across the borough to support them to open their facilities for longer, offering even more venues across the borough where residents can be safe and warm.”
“We will continue to listen to our residents and target our support where it is needed the most to support them through the cold winter months and the cost of living crisis.”
The Life Rooms
Life Rooms Mental Health support in Knowsley libraries
A new mental health initiative is launching in Knowsley libraries which will support residents with their health and wellbeing.
Life Rooms, a service run by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, supports people in dealing with social factors that can impact their health and is available in the borough’s five libraries (from Tuesday 30 August).
Whatever issue you might be facing; from housing and employment to lifestyle or exercise, Life Rooms can help you to take your next steps towards a healthier life.
The friendly Life Rooms team offers face-to-face support and can signpost users to further help and support.
Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Cabinet Member for Health, said: “Many people will experience some low level mental health problems at some point in their lives, such as stress, worry, and anxiety.
“Good mental health and wellbeing helps us to build resilience to cope with life’s ups and downs, so I’m delighted Knowsley residents who may be struggling will now be able to access practical, face-to-face support in Knowsley’s libraries from Life Rooms.”
Cllr Jayne Aston, Knowsley Cabinet Member for Resources, added: “Our libraries are welcoming and accessible community facilities, providing a gateway to a wide range of council and other services, information and opportunities for all. The launch of Life Rooms will be a valuable addition to the mental health and wellbeing support which can be accessed through the libraries.”
Life Rooms will be available in Knowsley’s libraries, during usual branch opening hours on the following days, from 10am to 4pm:
- Halewood Library: Mondays
- Huyton Library: Tuesdays
- Prescot Library: Wednesdays
- Stockbridge Village Library: Thursdays
- Kirkby Library: Fridays
Visit Life Rooms’ website for more information about their support.