A new Digital Friendly Island scheme has been launched on the Isle of Wight to promote digital confidence among older people and help develop skills that will improve quality of life.
The scheme has been developed by Age Friendly Island, part of Age UK Isle of Wight, in partnership with older residents and Island organisations with the aim of making the Isle of Wight digitally inclusive for everyone, but especially for Islanders over 50.
Organisations across the Island including Southern Vectis, Island Roads, Independent Arts and the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary have signed up to indicate they offer digital friendly services and commit to improving their online services for older Islanders.
Offering free Wi-Fi, an accessible website or providing digital services like courses and drop-in support sessions are all ways to be digitally friendly.
During lockdown many older people discovered how they can live more independently by using online services, however, there are still many that are digitally excluded and unable to access the fantastic opportunities being online can bring.
Emma Lincoln, Age Friendly Island Service Manager, commented:
“The Digital Friendly Island scheme is so important because it is about supporting older people to overcome digital or online barriers. There are many digital services available on the Island which can improve day-to-day lives but it’s having the confidence and knowledge to access them.”
Sally Ash, Fair Trading Office, IWASP, Isle of Wight Council commented:
“A lack of knowledge and confidence around using digital devices makes us vulnerable to online scams so anything that can enhance our understanding of using technology will benefit us in the fight against scams and help to keep Island residents safe.”
The scheme is free to join – email [email protected] or visit www.ageukiw.org.uk.
This is very good idea. But I think they need to raise the lower end of their age group. It’s the people in their 50’s that built our digital world.
well said fred – I actually agree with you for once.
The lower age should be over 60, as those over 50 but under 60, were being taught computers at school, albeit basic stuff and are the age group that designed, built, operated and taught those under 30 about the digital world.
Those of us who have reached 60 were also the ones that did all the systems analysis and wrote the original coding to computerise the paper systems in the early 80s.
exactly tasha