Charities and small businesses on the Isle of Man have been given a digital skills boost with a free training event hosted by Lloyds Banking Group.

The free half-day workshop featured talks from David Ashford MHK and digital experts from Google, Reason Digital and Lloyds Banking Group.

Held at the Palace Hotel , Douglas, it was attended by more than 115 local charities and small businesses.

The workshop included sessions on optimising a website so it is accessible from any mobile device, improving digital presence through social media, online video and Google My Business, staying safe online and using digital technologies to help better manage money.

Paul McAuley, Lloyds Banking Group’s executive committee member for the North of England, who is responsible for leading the activation of the Group’s Helping Britain Prosper plan in the Isle of Man, said: ’Good digital skills are a powerful business tool and can make a real difference to firms looking to invest, innovate and grow.

’Many smaller organisations on the Isle of Man can lack basic digital skills and that’s why, as part of our plan to help Britain prosper, we’re committed to supporting small organisations on their journeys to become more digitally capable."

Melissa Menton owner of Platinum Beauty said: ’The Google Garage was a very insightful event which provided me with some useful knowledge and tools to optimise my business at no extra cost.

’Specifically, the Google Optimisation and Analytics functions along with the website design standards to boost my company’s position in the search results list.

’Brilliantly organised and informative session which I would recommend to any small business looking to enhance their digital knowledge and strategy.’

The Group launched its 2017 Helping Britain Prosper Plan, with a renewed focus on being ’more than a bank’.

Paul McAuley (left), Lloyds Banking’s Group’s Executive Committee member who is responsible for leading the activation of the Group’s Helping Britain Prosper plan in the Isle of Man and David Ashford (right)