The different activities come as Get Online Week kicks off from 13 to 19 October, right across the UK and is part of the Group’s commitment to improving digital skills as well as being a founder partner of Go ON UK - the digital skills charity.

On Thursday (16 October), Nick Williams, Consumer Digital Director at Lloyds Banking Group will be hosting a Digital Leaders event in Manchester in association with the Digital Leaders Network. The event will focus on the Lloyds Bank Business Digital Index with key stakeholders, opinion formers and decision makers in the North West.

The Business Digital Index found that the North West is lagging behind in its digital skills when compared to the rest of the UK - almost two in five (38 per cent) of SMEs and charities are without basic online skills in the North West. That includes the basic skills needed to send and receive email, use a social media, maintain a website or make and take payments online.

Similarly Go ON UK estimates that nearly a fifth of the region’s population - 18 per cent don’t have basic online skills including the basic skills needed to use a search engine, browse the internet or complete online forms.

The event comes after Lloyds Banking Group confirmed that it has now recruited over 2,700 digital champions as part of its support for Go ON UK to help boost the digital skills of people, small businesses and charities.

Digital Director Nick Williams, the key speaker at the event said: “The Lloyds Bank Business Digital Index has identified where the gaps are but now we need to work with the right people to improve digital skills in the North West.

“By using our digital champions and working with Go ON UK we will be able to engage with local leaders across the business, local government and charity sectors to take action and help SMEs and charities realise the full benefits of going online.”

The Halifax Bank will also be hosting dementia friendly digital coffee mornings with the Tinder Foundation in five Manchester branches on Wednesday 15 October. The coffee morning will help people with dementia understand more about the benefits of the internet and how to use technology such as laptops, tablets and smart phones. Studies show that helping individuals get online can help reduce feelings of isolation and depression.

Becky Rowlands, a Halifax Branch Manager and Digital Champion said: “We have reserved a computer in all our Manchester branches where our Digital Champions can help customers get online, have a look at the Alzheimer’s website and see what other support is available.

“Our last event in September was really successful. We spoke to so many customers to talk about the benefits and their experiences as well as raising over £1,800 for the Alzheimer’s Charity. I’d urge everyone - no matter what your skill level is - to get down to a participating Halifax branch and find out more.”

Helen Milner, Chief Executive of the Tinder Foundation said: “"There are still 9.5 million people in the UK with basic online skills, so campaigns like Get Online Week are vital to reaching these people, and inspiring them to give the internet a go. The campaign is so successful because of all of the great partners that are behind the campaign, so we're delighted that Lloyds Banking Group are getting behind Get Online Week, and running their own activity in branches."