SENSE Whanganui — Digital Safety & Confidence
Helping people across Whanganui feel safer, more confident, and more in control online.
SENSE Whanganui is a Digital Inclusion Whanganui initiative focused on practical digital safety, confidence and trusted support.
It grew from community-based digital safety drop-ins and practical one-to-one assistance, helping people deal with everyday issues such as scams, passwords, account security, privacy, device safety and uncertainty about using technology.
Regular public SENSE drop-in sessions are currently paused while we review the next stage of the initiative and how it can best respond to community need.
Future SENSE activities and opportunities for support will be announced through Digital Inclusion Whanganui and the SENSE Whanganui Facebook page.
SAFE • EDUCATED • NAVIGATING • SECURE • EMPOWERED
What SENSE Is About
SENSE focuses on practical issues that can make everyday digital life safer and less stressful, including:
- Scams and fraud awareness
Recognising suspicious messages, links, calls and requests. - Passwords and account security
Understanding safer ways to protect accounts and personal information. - Device safety
Updates, settings, security warnings and safer everyday use. - Privacy and safer online habits
Helping people understand settings, permissions and the information they share. - Digital confidence
Supporting people who feel uncertain, overwhelmed or left behind by technology.
SAFE • EDUCATED • NAVIGATING • SECURE • EMPOWERED
Current Status
SENSE is not currently operating a regular public drop-in service.
The earlier weekly sessions at Gonville Library have concluded for the foreseeable future while Digital Inclusion Whanganui considers the next stage of SENSE and the best ways to respond to community need.
Future activities will be published here and through our social media channels.
Who Is SENSE For?
SENSE was developed with everyday Whanganui people in mind, particularly people who may feel uncertain, vulnerable or excluded when using digital technology.
That can include older people, people with limited digital experience, people on lower incomes, social-housing residents, people living alone, and anyone who feels unsure about staying safe online.
You do not need to be “good with technology” to benefit from clearer, safer and more confident ways of using it.
Why SENSE Matters
Digital safety can feel frightening or embarrassing to ask about. SENSE is here to change that. By removing fear, reducing risk, and giving people practical confidence, we help build stronger communities where everyone can participate more safely in the digital world.