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“It’s like magic having music on my phone, never knew I could do this” - Participant
This project providing training to the elderly on how to use smartphones, tablets, and online services.
The project took place in 25 Bolton Street, Dublin every Thursday afternoon. Approximately 200 elderly people took part in the project.
Organisers included trips to large companies to bring home the importance of digital technology in everyday life.
Training sessions focused on smartphone use, internet navigation, and online safety.
This project also provided tailored training sessions for personalised support. These sessions helped learners overcome barriers and develop practical skills.
Facilitators promoted literacy-friendly digital practices, ensuring that adults with varying levels of digital proficiency could use resources.
Facilitators received extremely positive feedback. Learners reported improved literacy, reduced isolation, and greater independence.
Participants also gained confidence in using technology for communication, managing finances, accessing information, and various other tasks.
Many participants feel more connected to family and friends and have embraced new hobbies and opportunities online.
This project fostered a sense of community, proving that technology can be a powerful tool for empowerment at any age.
To ensure accessibility and convenience, organisers established a drop-in centre in the local community. This welcoming space offers on-demand digital support, allowing older individuals to seek help whenever they need it.
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This project was a collaboration between Friends of the Elderly and CDETB Parnell Adult Learning Centre.
For more information about the project, please contact Andrew Connolly, CDETB Regional Literacy Coordinator at andrew.connolly@aes.cdetb.ie
The Adult Literacy for Life Collaboration and Innovation Fund
The Collaboration and Innovation Fund supports projects for adults with unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy needs and projects that support organisations to be literacy friendly. The closing date for 2024 applications has now passed but keep an eye out for information on our 2025 fund which will be launched in December.
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