TECHNOLOGY has moved at such an amazing pace that many people have felt left behind. The various lock-downs seemed to make online banking, shopping and doctors’ appointments the norm, which only heightened the feeling of exclusion for those who had not yet learned technological skills.
In an effort to help, Myles Pilling and Laura Martin volunteered at the Tuesday Drop-In at ‘that meeting space’ giving one-to-one smart phone help.
“It soon became clear that there were so many people being ‘digitally excluded’ that it was worth organising a course to help people connect to the digital world,” reports John Firth from ‘that meeting space’.
“Last week 10 people completed the first ‘Tech Savvy Digital Inclusion Course’ and were awarded well-deserved certificates of completion following the five weekly sessions. For some this was their first ‘classroom’ experience in over 60 years. The group all left saying that they had gained more confidence and many even enquired about learning more.
“The Tech Savvy team of instructors, who volunteered their time, are all well qualified and experienced in technology. Myles Pilling is the Wiltshire coordinator for the national charity AbilityNet, Laura Martin works for the Big Learning Company, and Simon Pooley came with many years of experience in the sector.
“They all excelled in patience as they gently helped the group navigate the internet, become familiar with their technology, and use functions like e-mail. The group found that exploring the internet was less of a terrifying voyage into the unknown and more of a trip into now familiar territory, enabling them to access online shopping, fill in forms and make appointments.
“The Tech Savvy Digital Inclusion course was administered by ‘that meeting space’ and was initially advertised in the Melksham Independent News – within two hours of the first papers arriving on people’s doorsteps the course was completely full. More calls followed over the next two days leaving us with a waiting list long enough to completely fill two further courses!
“Myles and Laura have graciously agreed to run further courses, one in April and one in May. We’ll be going through the waiting list over the next few weeks, inviting people to join us on the next courses. I want to say a massive thank you to Myles, Laura and Simon for giving so much of their time to help our community by preparing and delivering this course.”
