VIEW, Issue 32, 2015
www.viewdigital.org
Page 15
Older peoples’ lives transformed with Lottery-funded iPad project John and Lavinia Beck, who have both completed one of the iPad classes at Ardrigh Fold in Glengormley, with Sarah Lynch, centre, Supporting Active Engagement Co-ordinator. Image: Nigel Hunter
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By Claire Savage
n award-winning digital project from Advice NI is helping older people in the community get online, with over 300 people taking part since 2013. Financed by the Big Lottery Fund, Supporting Active Engagement will be ongoing over the next few years, teaching people in sheltered housing and folds how to use the internet via iPads. Each strand of the project runs over 12-weeks, with one hourly session per week, and also focuses on helping elderly people access information about their rights and entitlements. Indeed to date, the project has identified more than £400,000 in unclaimed benefits and has empowered many people to use online services throughout Northern Ireland. The digital inclusion project also received a prestigious Star Award from the national adult learning organisation, Aontas, in February this year, when it was named overall Ulster winner 2015. As a volunteerled initiative, Advice NI is subsequently keen to recruit more volunteers to assist
with the sessions, so they can deliver them in even more locations. Sarah Lynch, who co-ordinates the training, says: “We’ve worked everywhere in Northern Ireland so far – from Portstewart to Enniskillen. Our volunteers love it because it’s really good fun.” Very much a hands-on experience, the Supporting Active Engagement project starts simple and always progresses at the speed of the slowest learner. There’s no need for prior knowledge of computers or iPads, and the team starts from scratch, beginning with how to switch on the digital devices. “It’s about encouraging confidence and making people feel less socially isolated,” says Sarah. “We start by explaining what a tablet is and what the internet is. We then go online and teach them what a website is. It’s all very relaxed.” One fold coordinator says: “Our residents, Arthur, Lawrence and Dominic have all now purchased iPads and sit in the common room in the evenings making use of the Wi-Fi. Arthur’s grandchildren have him Skyping and Facebooking and call him
‘cool granda Arty’ now. He’s also a whizz at emailing, and even pays bills online – all thanks to the classes.” Meanwhile, a resident who’s benefitted from the programme, adds that “the tutors are very helpful and patient”, while another says: “I enjoyed the course very much and look forward to getting my own tablet.” A fold coordinator further reports that: “As a result of learning (about) the tablet she (a resident) was able to locate her niece, who had been given up for adoption, and she’s had a wonderful reunion as a result.” As an organisation which champions the rights of the individual, Advice NI previously identified the need for their project as more and more services moved online. In effect, this rendered them inaccessible to many older people, making them at risk of missing out on important benefits and support. With positive feedback from those involved, Advice NI has more sessions planned for the future and hopes many more volunteers are inspired to join them.