By Tilly Walder
Age UK Isle of Wight is an independent charity that has been working in our local community helping older ones for 50 years. On Tuesday, I went along to one of their ‘Digital Inclusion’ workshops to see what they were doing there.
During the Covid pandemic, we were all forced to become more tech savvy, and many of us started using the internet more than we ever had before. Despite now being out of quarantine, many businesses and services are still staying on-line. For instance, we are now encouraged to book ferries on-line and use e-consult instead of visiting our overrun hospital. For those who aren’t sure how to use the current technology, this can all seem overwhelming. The Digital Inclusion sessions that Age UK run are aimed at helping break down the use of digital devices into easier to understand chunks. You can book to attend a free session, with a maximum of 12 people at each of them. The average age range of the group is from early seventies to mid eighties, with some clients in their nineties in the past.
After each workshop, a report is prepared to determine the needs of the clients. It may be that the client actually needs help at home and the issue can’t be dealt with at a session.
Everyone is asked to take along their own devices so that the learning sessions are more effective and useful, with attendees arriving with tablets, phones and sometimes laptops. A Powerpoint presentation is set up and helpful booklets are distributed, guiding the clients through the basic features their devices have, whether they be android or manufactured by Apple. Topics covered include navigating the settings app, and sending emails and attachments. This week, the group had a helping hand from Christina, a representative from Wightfibre. Staff member Paula told me that, despite the workshop’s main focus being on technology, the groups are often perfect opportunities for socialising. Often, get-togethers are arranged off the back of the sessions, and it is a great way to meet new people.
Cyber security
The charity also runs sessions on cyber safety, something that is becoming ever more urgently needed as time goes on.
As I spoke with client Rod Moody, he shared his hesitancy at gaining more of an on-line presence amidst the recent QR code scams.
“I must admit,” he explained, “I am very nervous about using QR codes unless I know where they’ve come from.”
Talking about the stigma around setting up new on-line payment methods such as Apple Pay, Rod said: “Although it is safer, I am still nervous about having my bank account connected to my phone. Everybody tells me that it’s more secure doing that, but then you hear of other stories… So at the minute I’m not sure whether to do it or not.
“At the end of the day, that’s what it’s about all about: safety. Obviously your finances, but also all your information. The more we can protect ourselves the better.”
Going forward, Age UK IW’s digital engagement officer, Lori, is planning a one-off separate workshop about BACS and on-line banking.
Urgent need for funding
Age UK IW are able to offer their Digital Inclusion sessions free of charge due to funding from the National Lottery’s Reaching Community Fund. However, by April this year this funding source will be closed and the charity is in desperate need of alternative funding or donations to continue this amazing service.
The Digital Inclusion team is appealing to local businesses to take up sponsorship opportunities to support them with the ongoing running costs of workshops, one-to-one sessions and drop-ins. The service costs £170,000 per year with five members of part time staff and 21 digital volunteers.
Last year the digital service delivered 808 digital support sessions, 427 new referrals, 49 digital equipment loans and 20 outreach events reaching 2,800 people. One workshop session delivering support to 10 Island residents costs the charity £270, and a home visit costs £75.
It really is excellent work that Age UK IW do in these sessions, all attending agreed that there was really useful information and help provided. It was also very clear to me how much the volunteers care about their clients as they showed their genuine personal interest and patience.
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Tilly is the IW Observer’s trainee journalist. If you’d like to be the focus of a future ‘Tilly’s insight’ column drop her a line at tilly@iwobserver.co.uk.
Isle of Wight Observer