Age UK and students from the Isle of Wight College are working together to support older people to get online by offering digital support workshops.
During lockdown getting online became increasingly important, and vital services are becoming exclusively digital.
This has resulted in a significant digital divide, with many older people left playing catchup.
Older people are buddied up with college students to develop their successful skills and confidence in using laptops, tablets and smartphones.
Students have been showing great patience and understanding, and older people have benefited from their expertise in learning how to set up new devices, send and receive emails, reset passwords, download files, use apps, the difference between Wi-Fi and data, online security and scam awareness, storing photos, social media, searching Google and much more.
One older person, who came to a session, said: “I feel less worried and vulnerable. If I run into trouble, I know where to start looking for help. I have learned very small things that have been incredibly helpful, e.g., the symbol for delete and how to increase the volume.”
There have already been several successful sessions, with the next support session at the College coming on May 15.
To find out more about Age UK’s digital service or to book your place on the support session, call Age UK IOW on 01983 301693 or email digital@ageukiw.org.uk
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