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Most older people have good reasons to engage with the digital world, but may feel insecure because they have just started. Can you help them? Our Fifty-Plus Digital Drop-in is a weekly social event for older people where they can get support and encouragement from an experienced volunteer team. It's hosted on Wednesday afternoons at Mildmay Community Centre in Hackney (about a 10 min walk from Newington Green) and regularly attracts 30-40 older people. We really need more volunteers at the drop-in. The role involves working mostly on a one-to-one basis offering help and support with phones, tablets, laptops — and understanding the internet so that we can all use it safely and sensibly. Most of the digital problems we deal with are basic, and most of the digital ambitions are realistic, so if you're confident using digital devices and the internet, you're almost certainly ready and able to be a volunteer. If you do have advanced or specialist digital skills, please tell us what they are and we may have other exciting opportunities for you. Volunteers are invited to support our Digital Drop-in and other digital learning opportunities for older people that take place at Mildmay Community Centre on Wednesday afternoons from 1-4pm. These activities are about social inclusion as much as digital inclusion, and there is a great sense of community amongst our regular attendees. Activities are generally facilitated by the Project Lead, with volunteers providing one-to-one support to older people during the session. This might involve, for example, helping them navigate Google maps, use What'sApp, delete apps, send an email or learn how to search for things online. If you aren't available on Wednesdays but are still interested in volunteering, please do get in touch anyway and we can talk about other potential opportunities and ways for you to get involved in our digital work with older people.
We are looking for people of any age who are confident using smartphones, tablets and the internet, and are willing to work closely with older people to help them learn about and explore the digital world. The most important skills you can bring are empathy and patience, which you probably have if you are reading this.
Volunteers will help older people explore and understand that is unfamiliar to them, help them learn new skills, and be able to share their own knowledge and expertise. They will open up new opportunities for participants so they can access the support, services and information they need. The time commitment will be a few hours a week. You can volunteer on a long- or short-term basis, every week or more intermittently. We will provide volunteers with an induction, supervision and mentoring to support them in the role, and we will also facilitate regular gatherings with other volunteers to share and reflect on experiences and insights. Travel expenses can be reimbursed.
A few hours a week, ideally, on Monday or Wednesday afternoons.
