Patient, Personal Technology Tutoring

Learn at your pace with Hebden Bridge’s trusted tech tutors. One-to-one support in your home or local café.

From Frustration to Confidence

Remember when technology seemed simpler? When you didn’t need a smartphone for everything? You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed.

Many of our clients once felt the same way – nervous about pressing the wrong button, frustrated when things go wrong, or embarrassed about asking for help.

“Before meeting Mike, I’d almost given up on technology. My grandchildren bought me an iPad, but I was too scared to use it. Now I use it every day, maybe even a little too much!”
Margaret, 72, Pecket Well

That’s why we’ve created a supportive, judgment-free way for you to learn and feel in control.

Why Choose Our Tutoring?

Flexible & On-Demand: Forget restrictive contracts. Call us when you have a problem, need some training, or want advice. You pay only for the time and expertise you use. We are flexible tech help that fits your budget.
We Take Notes For You: Focus on learning, not taking notes! After each session, we provide clear, digitised notes summarising what we covered, so you can refer back to them anytime.
Jargon-Free Explanations: We cut through the confusion. We explain technology in plain English, ensuring you and your staff understand why things work (or don’t!) and how to use your tools effectively.
Patient, Tailored Support: Every situation is different, We always provide objective advice and explain the different approaches we could take together. We help you make informed decisions.
Focus on Practical Solutions: We help you make the most of your existing devices or advise on simple, cost-effective solutions. We give objective advice, without making you feel pressured or sold to.
Focus on Building Confidence, Not Just Skills: Our aim is not just to teach you tasks, but to build your overall confidence and reduce any anxiety around technology.
We’re Local, Like You: Based in Wadsworth, Hebden Bridge, we understand the specific needs and environment of our service areas: Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Sowerby Bridge, Todmorden and around our Calder Valley. We talk face to face, in-person.

What our clients said

What We Can Cover Together

Essential Skills

Basic Operations
Managing settings & updates
Email & messaging
Communication apps
WiFi & internet basics
Using interfaces
Advanced skills available

Daily Digital Life

Secure internet shopping
Password management
BBC iPlayer & Video streaming
Finding credible sources
Staying safe from scams
Safe online banking
Beyond the basics available

Photos & File Storage

Taking & sharing photos
Creating digital albums
Managing cloud storage
Organising your files
Backing up memories
Basic photo editing
Creative skills pathway available

Simple, Transparent Pricing for Personalised Tutoring

We believe in clear, upfront pricing for our patient, one-to-one tech tutoring.

Initial ‘Getting to Know You’ Session (First Hour): £30

This first hour is for us to understand your current tech challenges, what you’d like to learn, and how we can best help you. We can often start solving immediate issues or make a clear plan for future sessions.

Flexible Pay-As-You-Go Tutoring: £35 per hour

For ongoing one-to-one learning sessions after your initial hour. Ideal if you prefer to book sessions as and when you need them. Billed in 30-minute increments after the first full hour.

Gift Vouchers

Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just to show you care. Help a loved one feel more connected and capable..
✦ Available for any amount or for specific tutoring blocks
✦ Beautifully presented as a thoughtful gift
✦ Valid for 12 months

See Vouchers ➜

Tech Confidence Tutoring Blocks (Save on Hourly Rate)

These blocks are perfect for a structured learning journey, helping you build skills and confidence over a series of sessions.
✦ 10-Hour Tutoring Block: £300 (Effectively £30 per hour – Save £50)
✦ 5-Hour Tutoring Block: £165 (Effectively £33 per hour – Save £10)

What’s Included with All Tutoring & Blocks:

✦ Your own personalised learning plan, tailored to your goals
✦ Patient, step-by-step guidance at your comfortable pace
✦ Detailed notes taken by your tutor after each session, emailed or printed for you
✦ Friendly email or quick phone support for small questions between sessions
✦ Home visits in Hebden Bridge and surrounding Calder Valley areas (or meetings in local cafés)
✦ Flexible scheduling – weekly, fortnightly, or as it suits you
✦ Priority booking for block-hour clients

Our Community Involvement

We’re proud to support our local community

Early morning, evening and weekend appointments
Flexible payment plans available
Concessionary rates for eligible residents, subject to availability
Free tech support drop-ins at Heptonstall Repair Café
Free tech support drop-ins at Mytholmroyd Repair Café
While we offer personalised one-to-one tutoring, our community also benefits from other technology support options such as local library sessions, Age UK workshops, and Citizens Advice digital support.

Get Our Free Tech Support at These Community Gatherings

Hebden Bridge Market Stall – Sometime in April, details coming soon!

Heptonstall Repair Café – Heptonstall Repair Café – Saturday 14th June 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Heptonstall Junior School, HX7 7NX

Mytholmroyd Repair Café – Sunday, 20th July, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. in St Michaels Church Hall, Mytholmroyd HX7 5AF

Your Friendly Local Tech Tutors

Pictures of the two tech tutors entitled Mike Thomas and Joe Wells on a green background with fading in the corners

Navigating the Digital World, Together

At Hebden Tech Tutors, you’ll work with either Mike or Joe – two local tech tutors who share a passion for helping others navigate the digital world.

Mike settled in Hebden Bridge six years ago, drawn by the community spirit that makes our valley special. His background in music technology and experience teaching the visually impaired students accessible technologies, shaped his patient, step-by-step approach.

Joe combines his Welsh warmth with years of experience in care work, bringing a uniquely patient and understanding approach to tech support. His background in supporting others makes him especially skilled at helping those who feel anxious about technology.

Why We Do This ➜

Hear from Our Community ➜

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are your sessions?

Our standard sessions are 1 hour long, which we’ve carefully designed to include:

✦ A relaxed 10 minute chat to understand the issues you are facing
✦ 50 minutes of focused learning or problem-solving
✦ Time at the end to summarise and note down what we’ve covered

We’ve found this format provides the perfect balance: long enough to make real progress, but short enough to keep energy and concentration levels high.

Many clients tell us they appreciate this structured yet flexible approach – it helps them feel less overwhelmed while ensuring they get value from every minute. If we’re in the middle of mastering something important, we won’t suddenly stop at the hour mark. Your learning comfort is our priority.

How many sessions will I need?

This really depends on your goals and learning style. Here are some typical examples:

Getting Started (2-3 sessions):
✦ Learning to use a new device confidently
✦ Setting up essential apps and email
✦ Understanding basic security

Building Confidence (4-6 sessions):
✦ Mastering basic device functions
✦ Learning to manage photos and files
✦ Getting comfortable with online shopping

Comprehensive Learning (8-12 sessions):
✦ Deep dive into specific areas of interest
✦ Building broad technology confidence
✦ Learning advanced features

Most clients start with a couple of sessions and then decide their preferred pace. Many book regular weekly slots, while others prefer monthly check-ins or “as needed” appointments when they have specific questions or new things to learn. There’s no pressure or long-term commitment – we’ll adjust to whatever works best for you.

I’m worried about my personal data. How do you ensure privacy?

We treat your personal data with the same care and respect we’d want for our own family members. Here’s our commitment to you:

Privacy Protocols:
✦ We never access personal files without your explicit permission
✦ You can watch everything we do on your devices
✦ We’ll explain what we need to access and why
✦ We sign out of any accounts we need to test
✦ We don’t store any of your passwords or personal information
✦ No information leaves your property

Security Measures:
✦ DBS (criminal record) checked for your peace of mind
✦ Fully insured for professional tech support
✦ Adherence to UK GDPR requirements
✦ Secure tools and diagnostic software
✦ Written privacy policy available on request

We’re happy to explain our process in detail before we begin and answer any specific privacy concerns you might have.

Do I need to prepare anything before our first session?

Don’t worry – we’ve made this as easy as possible for you:

Essential Items:
✦ Your device(s), fully charged
✦ Any passwords you currently use (for reference if necessary)

Nice to Have (but not essential):
✦ A list of things you’d like to learn (but don’t worry if you’re not sure)
✦ Notes on any error messages you need assistance with
✦ E-Bills or online subscriptions you’d like us to look at
✦ A cup of tea or coffee to sip during the teaching

Most importantly, try not to feel anxious about the session. We’ll start with a friendly chat to understand your needs, and take things at your pace. There’s no such thing as a “silly question” – we’re here to help!

I’m buying sessions for my parent. Can I be involved in the process?

Absolutely! Family involvement often leads to better outcomes. Here’s how we can work together:

Before Sessions:
✦ Initial family consultation to understand needs
✦ Discussion of specific concerns or goals
✦ Setting up communication preferences

During the Process:
✦ Joint sessions if helpful
✦ Guidance on how to support learning between sessions
✦ We can provide regular upgrades on progress if requested, with the client’s permission.

Can I share my tutoring package with others?

Our tutoring is always delivered one-to-one to ensure each person gets the focused, personalised attention they deserve. While group sessions might seem efficient, we’ve found that individual attention leads to better understanding and faster progress, as everyone learns technology differently and at their own pace.

That said, our session packages can absolutely be shared among people in the same local area! The time would be divided into individual sessions for each person. This is particularly popular for:

✦ Couples learning together
✦ Neighbours helping each other stay digitally connected
✦ Friends who want to learn together
✦ Housemates sharing tech interests
✦ Community groups coordinating support

For example, a 6-session package could be used for:
✦ Joint learning sessions where you learn together
✦ Individual sessions split between participants
✦ A mix of different services (perhaps one person needs device setup while another wants email training)

We’re happy to coordinate shared packages as long as participants are within reasonable walking distance to avoid travel complications. Many people find learning with others not only more economical but also more enjoyable!

For those living further apart, a separate package will be required to ensure everyone gets the most value from their sessions. However, we’re happy to offer a small discount when booking multiple packages for a local group – just ask!

What if I need to cancel or reschedule a session?

Life happens, and we completely understand! While we ask for 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling, we’re human and know that sometimes things come up unexpectedly:

✦ If you can give us 24 hours’ notice, there’s no charge and we’ll happily reschedule
✦ Feeling under the weather? Just let us know – health comes first
✦ Had an unexpected visitor or appointment? We’ll work around it

Our priority is maintaining a helpful, flexible service that works for you.

Do you offer remote support or is it all in-person?

While we primarily focus on in-person sessions, we’ve developed a blended approach that works really well for our clients:

In-Person Sessions:
✦ Perfect for learning new skills
✦ Great for building confidence
✦ Allows for hands-on guidance
✦ Best for picking up on non-verbal cues

Remote Support Options:
✦ Quick follow-up questions via phone
✦ Brief WhatsApp support between sessions
✦ Emergency tech help when needed
✦ Video calls for urgent issues
✦ Screen sharing for quick demonstrations

We’ve found that starting with in-person sessions builds the confidence needed to then make the most of remote support when needed. As one client told us, “It’s like having a tech-savvy friend on speed dial!”

Still Have Questions?

We’re happy to discuss our offerings and find an option that works for you.
Get in touch for a friendly, no-pressure conversation about how we can help.

Make Technology Work for You, Not Against You

You’ve seen how we help people just like you feel more comfortable and confident with their devices. Whether you want to stay in touch with family, manage your daily tasks, or simply stop feeling overwhelmed by technology, we’re here to guide you – one small step at a time.

We understand that technology can feel intimidating, but we promise there’s no judgment here. Our goal isn’t to turn you into a tech expert – it’s to help you feel in control and able to use your devices without fear or frustration.

With patient guidance and clear, jargon-free explanations, we’ll help you accomplish what matters to you. We’re ready to help you gain the digital confidence you need, at your own pace.

Get in Touch ➜