Free digital help in Ealing: event on 19 October

Ealing residents who do not feel confident using the internet, a smartphone or a computer can get free help at Ealing Gets Digital. The event will take place on Monday 19 October 2026, from 11am to 3pm, in the South Atrium at Perceval House.

Help without prior knowledge

The event forms part of Get Online Week and is intended to provide practical support for people with different levels of digital experience. Residents can drop in without a booking or register online in advance. The invitation is open both to people taking their first steps online and to those who need help with a particular task.

Visitors will be able to speak to local organisations and learn about continuing digital support available across the borough. The council is also encouraging residents to attend with a relative, neighbour or friend who finds technology difficult.

Short sessions on safety and the NHS App

Free 30-minute sessions will run during the day. Topics will include staying safe online, using the NHS App and practical ways artificial intelligence can help with everyday tasks.

The NHS explains that its app can be used to manage healthcare through a phone, tablet or computer. NHS App services can also be accessed through the NHS website without downloading anything. Users must be aged 13 or over and registered with a GP surgery in England.

Mobile data and a device donation point

Information will be available about free data SIM cards for residents who meet the eligibility requirements. Organisers will also operate a donation point for unwanted laptops, tablets and other digital devices.

Donated equipment will be securely recycled or refurbished so that it can help other people get online. Anyone donating a device should first make sure that their personal data has been removed and that linked accounts have been disconnected.

Key details

Ealing Gets Digital is free. It takes place on 19 October from 11am to 3pm in the South Atrium at Perceval House. Visitors can attend without registering, while people who are already online can reserve a place in advance. Light refreshments are due to be available throughout the event.

The event is designed to help with tasks that increasingly require internet access, from forms and household bills to booking appointments and staying in touch with family and friends. Full details and the advance registration link have been published by Around Ealing.

Residents who already use digital services may still find the focused sessions useful, particularly if they want to improve online safety or learn how NHS services work on different devices. For someone who lacks confidence, attending with a trusted person may make it easier to ask questions and practise new skills at their own pace.