2 minute read
Residents’ view
Why digital skills in later life are proving to be vital
Anchor Housing has recently engaged the skills of Digital Voice to deliver a digital storytelling course for its residents. It helps residents to tell their stories using a range of digital tools, teaching them to do everything from filming to editing the final piece. Two residents, Heather and Terry, spoke to HQM about how beneficial one of the courses was.
Heather
A few years ago it was discovered I had cognitive problems which affect parts of my memory and reasoning.
Fortunately, the dementias have been ruled out. It has, however, forced early retirement on me and a certain loss of self. I find myself asking “What do I no longer remember? Am I a different person to what I was before this?” Most retirees can sit back and recount tales of ‘remember when’. Not so much me.
Each week on the course, the two hours we shared were very informative – a wonderful session of discoveries.
There was a lot to learn and we were happy for a great and patient teacher in Jan Debognies, who developed a real rapport with us oldies! I felt my confidence growing each week.
Before I would just press video on my camera phone and that would be that. I now feel confident I will be able to make, edit and share my own mini videos.
Now I can cut out the boring bits, join different videos together, add text, photos, music, voice over and many many more exciting edits.
I couldn’t wait to start my own project now I have this skill and I will be able to pass on and make the most of the memories I have.
I have actually gone on to create a video guide to digital storytelling to help teach other Anchor residents as a result!
What’s that quote...“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish”.
Terry
I didn’t quite envisage what a life-changing opportunity you were getting us into there, but all’s now become clear. An outstanding example of good practice for sure, it’s something to be proud of. It was a very structured and well-thought-out course with competent and considerate mentors.
Thanks so much for being so cool! What a pleasure being led and taught by you. You calmed my nervousness, eliminated my usual fear of being left behind on day one, and with your measured “time for all” got us all the results.
I’ve managed to produce something, totally through your kind efforts, that I would’ve thought, just a short while ago, wasn’t within reach.
And I’m not really referring to the technical side of things. I’m talking of how you’ve inspired us to create something quite beautiful and special – to put our life experiences into a story and film.
The impact and significance of that to me, at this somewhat late stage of my life, is overwhelming. And emotional.
It’s being listened to, as somebody who’s perhaps now worth being listened to. Who has a story to tell. And as somebody that plans to tell more stories from here on in.
So, again, thank you both. It’s been a wonderful experience – the best ever experience.
