Smart cafés Louth: digital living for older people
Making digital technology more accessible for older people
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The project partners were
Louth Local Development
ALONE
About this project
This project created welcoming spaces where older people built their digital skills and made social connections in Dundalk, Ardee and Drogheda.
Twice a week over four weeks almost 100 participants got help from a trained tutor in a relaxed café-style setting.
14 volunteer Digital Champions were trained by ALONE and attended each session to support the participants.
The tutor guided the group while Digital Champions offered extra one-to-one support when needed. Champions also grew in confidence over the four weeks, supported by training from ALONE.
Sessions focused on four topics:
how to use smartphones,
keeping in touch through texts and messaging,
staying safe from scams online, and
using digital tools for everyday life.
More about this project
The cafe-style set-up helped people feel comfortable and reduced the pressure people can experience in a classroom.
Learning was based on real-life needs, such as:
saving emergency numbers,
finding community notices,
using RIP.ie,
watching livestreams, and
staying safe online.
Group activities and peer-to-peer learning helped participants practise together and learn from one another.
Participants are now willing to try new things online and feel more confident using digital platforms.