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Preparing more selfies for my digital story board

I’m creating a digital story board as part of my learning process.

This widens my skill base

To promote digital inclusion, we have introduced a volunteer position known as the Online Chum Mentor. This digital befriender offers both technical guidance and community support to older and disabled individuals, including asylum seekers, refugees and unemployed people. The latter group face significant obstacles since the Department for Work and Pensions requires benefit claimants to be online. For many, the lack of a personal computer, or phone mean they must depend on public spaces such as libraries, which is fraught with difficulties: users cannot guarantee privacy or personalised settings, and the limited time available on library computers adds to the strain. Such constraints can lead to wider social and economic exclusion and, all too often, result in individuals becoming further disconnected from the community alongside restricted access to online socially essential services.  

I have to be cautious about using online shopping, so today’s I’m looking for safety tools.

This helps with my digital development

Today I’m going to use Google Meet

The move towards a digital society presents significant obstacles for older adults and disabled people, many of whom find it difficult to remain independent due to restricted internet access. Contributing factors include a lack of digital skills, uncertainty about the advantages of being online, concerns around privacy and cybersecurity, as well as issues of affordability and availability. At the Park View Project, older individuals often encounter hurdles such as reluctance to embrace new technology, low self-esteem, and limited confidence, whereas younger disabled people may be vulnerable to abuse, online bullying, and physical & sensory accessibility issues.

Consider joining our Digital Drop-In sessions to volunteer or discover ways to help close the digital gap—your involvement could truly benefit your local community.

Following on from Amanda's post yesterday about using video calling apps, I thought it useful to give a concise overview:

Good options

1. WhatsApp

• Very simple interface.

• Easy one-to-one and group video calls.

• Most family members already use it.