Moray mum and IT boss launches Tech Club support for home-schooling families
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A MORAY entrepreneur mum is launching an online technology club to support families thrown into home-schooling by the pandemic crisis.
Lee Midlane, founder and CEO of Elgin-based IT Central, has come up with an innovative way to support Moray parents and children by taking technology support to the community.
She is getting set to launch Tech Club from IT Central's base, which is designed to help families use computers and technology in simple and fun ways.
Through Tech Club, Lee aims to support parents and children by addressing the challenges of staying safe online and building digital literacy – all while having fun.
The online club, which will go live next week, will offer "guided success paths to support any level", a resource library and weekly activities.
Lee said: "Families are struggling to balance home-schooling and working from home. This has meant getting to grips with technology – and quickly.
"As someone who went from the daily norm of going to work to suddenly juggling the situation of working from home and supporting my 11-year-old son to complete his schoolwork, I found it to be a real challenge.
"Thrown into the mix is the need for children to use technology to study, a higher amount of screen time because they are home, and the need to keep them safe while they are online. My son is very trusting and believes whatever someone online tells him. That makes him vulnerable, and as a parent I want to protect him without taking away his fun."
The new club is set for its phase-one launch at midnight on June 1, with applications being accepted until 7pm on June 7.
Lee added: "We are only open to accepting new members for a limited period of time. These founding members will help shape and test every aspect of the club before we move to a full public launch in the autumn.
"There is a highly reduced monthly fee for as long as these members stay involved."
In addition to bite-size tailored training bundles, there will be a programme of monthly content including guests, projects, a video magazine, and a real-time, interactive quiz.
Lee said: "Like many businesses, our plans had to change. We are still going ahead with the technology centre concept in time, but really wanted a way to serve the community now."
Gill Neill, chief executive of Elgin BID, said: "Lee and the team's plans sound really exciting. I know a lot of people have struggled over the last couple of months and technology has played a far bigger part in our lives, particularly with things like keeping us connected to family and friends.
"For many there comes a level of anxiety and concern about how to make the most of the tech on offer and the way that this programme gently leads people from being a complete novice onwards is bound to help."
Sarah Medcraf, Moray Chamber of Commerce CEO, said: "Many parents are finding themselves juggling working from home, schooling children at different ages and still trying to run a home.
"Tech Club is a great way to help parents and support them through the journey of ensuring the wide world, whilst at our fingertips, is a safe one. Well done IT Central for addressing this issue."
For more information see IT Central’s Facebook page, or email hello@itcentral.scot.
