Rochdale Digital Festival returns

Rochdale Digital Festival

Rochdale Digital Festival, last staged in 2017 will be back at Number One Riverside on Saturday 8 June, celebrating digital in all its forms, with demonstrations, workshops, lots of free activities and much more. 

Organised by Rochdale Borough Council, the day promises to improve your digital potential with hands-on help and advice for all ages.

If you fancy learning to code, joining an Instagram live collaborative arts project, taking part in an augmented reality dinosaur hunt, watching a masterclass in graphic design or just want to get your hands on the latest tech, there will be plenty to try, take part in and enjoy.

The popular FixIt Bar will return, with O2 Rochdale Guru’s providing hands on help for anyone with laptop, iPad, phone or tablet problems.

There’ll be lots of interactive fun and learning for under 18s and families too, supported by Heritage Hackers. Their skilled mentors will help children and young people to learn through play using coding, robots, electronics and making activity using the latest digital kit. They can also join Manchester based MadLab at their workshops, using engineering to build a Doodle Bot, a chaotic vibrating robot that creates fascinating patterns as it swirls around.

Rochdale Digital Festival brings people and technology together. It allows everyone to explore the thriving digital scene here in the borough and get hands on experience with the latest projects.

With over 90% of UK adults using the internet, visitors will be able to find out how to do online banking, browse products, shop or read a book online, and get tips on using smartphones and tablets. There will be friendly faces on hand to show how easy it can be and tablets, phones and computers will be available for people to try.

A series of free masterclasses for businesses will be held the day before (Friday 7 June), revealing tricks of the trade in bite-sized sessions. Digital champions from Lloyds Bank will also be delivering practical digital knowhow sessions in local schools, showing how digital skills can act as a springboard to jobs in different sectors including manufacturing, gaming and the arts.

John Rooney, assistant director of information, customers and communities at Rochdale Borough Council said: “Digital technology is everywhere and using it can save time and money. Whether you are a complete beginner, or already into digital technology, the day will have something for you.”

Rochdale Digital Festival is at Number One Riverside, Rochdale on Saturday 8 June from 10am to 4pm.