Longford's first Active Retirement Ireland digital ambassador graduates
The first Active Retirement Ireland digital ambassador from Longford graduated at a special event in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in Dublin.
Volunteer Kitty Burkhill from Newtownforbes will be leading free digital skills classes for older people in their communities as part of the Vodafone Ireland Foundation Hi Digital programme, in partnership with Active Retirement Ireland and ALONE.
Caption: Active Retirement Ireland digital ambassador Kitty Burkhill, Newtownforbes, at a graduation ceremony in the Royal College of Physicians, Dublin. Photo credit: Maxwell Photography
The Hi Digital programme has been developed to empower older people in Ireland to build basic and essential digital skills, and help them to stay connected in their communities.
Active Retirement Ireland in-person classes will follow the Vodafone Ireland Foundation Hi Digital online learning platform and cover essential topics including using the internet, using smartphones, sending emails, keeping in touch through social media or video calling, accessing online banking and government services, and shopping and making electronic payments online.
Tuition is also provided in online communication and recreational services including how to use WhatsApp, watch television or listen to the radio online, plan driving routes and other travel, and book events, outings and holidays online.
Commenting on the graduation of the digital ambassadors, Maureen Kavanagh, CEO of Active Retirement Ireland, said: “Digital exclusion of older people is a real and growing problem in Ireland, and one that is leading to increased feelings of isolation and disconnectedness. Through this new stage of the Hi Digital programme, our digital ambassador-led, in-person classes will further support older people’s participation online. This will help ensure they have the appropriate access and skills to engage with digital services, along with expanding the possibilities on offer to them from the digital shift. We are so proud of our digital ambassadors who have given up so much of their time for training and who now want to share their skills with others in their communities.”
Moyna Staunton, 66, who is Midlands Region Spokesperson for Active Retirement Ireland and also a digital ambassador, said: “The need for older people to build their digital skills is something I feel strongly about. So much of day-to-day life is either moving wholly online or is made easier by an online option for those that can access it. Having been a teacher in my working life, becoming an Active Retirement Ireland digital ambassador was an obvious choice for me and I am excited about helping older people to get online and be more connected.”
Older people wishing to learn or refresh their digital skills can start today with the free, self-guided Hi Digital online courses, in both English and Irish, at www.hidigital.ie
The online courses can be completed at home, either independently or with help from friends, family or other people in their community.