By Cal Chester, Community Development Support Worker.
Digital Brighton and Hove recently hosted a showcase event at Jubilee Library exploring what is available in Brighton and Hove to support people in later life to get online. The event was attended by service providers, users, and volunteers from across the city.
This was an initiative of the the Digital Inclusion Network – a group of local organisations – local public services, charities & community groups, social enterprises and businesses – who are working together to ensure the switch to online doesn’t exclude anyone. TDC team members Cal and Ceza are involved with the network – tackling digital exclusion is a growing part of our work in Community Development across Brighton & Hove.
It was apparent to all that there is an enormous demand from older people to get online to explore the benefits it can bring such as hobbies, community engagement, independence, contact with family and friends, accessing services etc.
It was also recognised that there are significant challenges and barriers for older people to get and stay online such as lacking access and equipment, low skills and confidence, disabilities and concerns about online safety.
The showcase demonstrated that there are many projects and organisations working to overcome these barriers to inclusion, below are links to just some of the local projects and organisations with a wealth of resources and contacts.
Ability Net https://www.abilitynet.org.uk/we-are-abilitynet-adapting-technology-changing-lives
Age UK www.ageuk-bh.org.uk
Citizens Online https://www.citizensonline.org.uk/digitalbrightonhove/
Digital Brighton and Hove https://digitalbrightonandhove.org.uk
Library connect https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/leisure-and-libraries/libraries/get-online-libraries-learn-use-a-computer-tablet-smartphone