Bridging Generations Through Digital Literacy

1. Kathleen Egan Programmes & Capacity Manager Age UK London Coordinating Digital Literacy for Older Londoners

2. Format • AUKL Background - Digital Literacy • Gaps & Research • Approaches • Partnerships • Current Digital Activities • AUKL Proposed Activities

3. 1. Background • Successful Mi Community Programme - particularly important in supporting those who are most vulnerable / isolated • Delivered with local Age UKs across London • Strategic and local links across all 33 boroughs - Older Peoples’ Forums and 400+ Older Peoples’ organisations via ‘Fit 4 Purpose programme’

4. Mi Community • Intergenerational digital inclusion project funded GLA’s Team London Programme/ Reuben Foundation. • Aim - use intergenerational volunteering to build stronger sense of community/connectedness between young volunteers & older people - bridging differences in age, ethnicity and culture and challenging negative stereotypes • Young people (aged 16-24) share information technology skills with older people (aged 60+) the majority of whom had no IT skills. • Skills transfer will occur between the generations

5. Mi Community • 1324 people volunteered help older people learn IT skills • 1450 older people directly benefited from their help • 3 Apprenticeship Academies (133 Apprentices) • 39 schools • 6911 volunteering hours were delivered • 279 Corporates engaged in the project • Older learners came from 26 London Boroughs and 18 different ethnic backgrounds • A third were aged over 75 years • 70 % of older participants were female • 24% of older participants reported having a disability

6. Gaps & Research Evaluation of Mi Community stressed: • 1:1 trusted relationship as key success factor • Learner-led model most successful including with younger people acting as mentors – intergenerational benefits • Need for confidence building to overcome fear • Pre existing relationship key • WEALTH OF THE WEB: Broadening Horizons online – Report

7. Obstacles • Lack of interest –resent being forced online, negative early experiences, feel internet ‘isn’t for them’. • Marketing of computers, design products / jargon • Fears of making a mistake • Financial cost • Fears of safety and privacy and financial abuse • Lack of training and support • Physical or cognitive impairment • Personal attitudes/beliefs including anxiety,loneliness.

8. Drivers • Curiosity and an appetite to learn • Specific interests and hobbies –motivational ‘hook’ linked with existing interest encouraged to go online. • Family support. • Independence and inclusion • Work Experience and Studying • Group and Club Membership. • Personal attitudes and beliefs

9. 3. Approaches • Blending technology into a range of communication methods to face personal challenges and life transition • Increasing / nurturing eco systems and networks that promote Digital Literacy • Recognising increasing Importance of tablets and smart phones not laptops / computers • Trusted relationships local Age UKs and hence pre-existing service users • Trusted relationships enhance safeguarding e.g. financial abuse concerns

10. 3. Approaches • Digital literacy not just digital inclusion • NB might not be the individual getting online could be carer / family member / advocate • Co design with Older People using real scenarios • Changing health service delivery • Accessing public services

11. 4. Partnerships • Techie Tea Parties - Corporate and Public Sector partners including ‘Everything Everywhere’ (T-Mobile & Orange) – held at EE HQ, Paddington. Now their Call Centres connect with Age UKs & local Older Peoples organisations and are now ‘go ON UK’ champion • DWP fund Age UK London - London Regional forum on Ageing (PAiL) • Community 10,000 programme = DWPs internal Volunteer programme - run Techie Tea Parties at their offices & at local borough Age UKs • Member of Age Action Alliance (AAA) – Digital Inclusion group and AAA Loneliness and Isolation Group • London Minority Ethnic Elders project • Greater London Forum - linked with Age UK London

12. 5. Current Digital Activities • Introduction to Social Media Workshops • Facebook as a Website Workshops • Free online resources Workshops • Wide range of Corporate Links including: • - Delivery of Techie Tea parties • - Social Media Champions • - 1:1 Guided Support • - Skill sharing • - Free resources e.g. venues, catering & technology

13. 6. Proposed Activities coordinated by AUKL • Digital Literacy support - Linking to local existing Befriending programmes via lcoal Age UKs and other Older People organisations • Lead Age UKs acting as sub-regional Digital Inclusion Hubs across London coordinating resources/tools/events in their area – • Training Befrienders as Digital Champions – build bespoke module into existing Age UK training - 1:1 training at home and ‘safe online’ • 1:1 & group training using volunteers/Corporate Volunteers

14. AUKL Planned Activities • Hubs as repository of information/tools/training/case studies and free resources • Train the Trainers • Focus on Tablets in response to demand for access to (survival skills) • Services e.g. Accessing government & public services / online banking etc. • Shopping • Email/contact friends

15. Planned Activities • Build on existing resources but tailor for older Londoners e.g. Digital Unite Guides • Linking Digital Inclusion to Information and Advice Benefits Checks and ‘Know Your Rights’ campaign • Targeted support to older unemployed women • Targeted support via Age UK London Minority Ethnic Elders • Links to local Age Uks • Health and Wellbeing programmes e.g. cooking on line • Building on Fit as a Fiddle programme relationships

16. Thank you Any questions?