We were invited to the recent Get Online London Meet Up hosted by the Good Things Foundation to discuss our approach to Digital Champion and training.
We focused on our three keys areas that include:
Supporting Peer Volunteers:
The notion that those needing digital support will often respond better to someone who knows a little bit more and has lived their experience. ‘Experts’ can also be intimidating and tend to ‘take over’. A peer volunteer is on their own digital inclusion journey and supporting others with challenges they have just overcome is hugely empowering and develops troubleshooting skills.
Building work placed skills and community resilience:
Supporting others hones keys skills around active listening, giving clear instructions and translating new concepts. These are exactly the type of skills required in thr working place and cannot always be taught – you need space to practice this!
Creating opportunities for Digital Ambassadors
We’ve aways thought that digital support could be enhanced though intergenerational work and but providing work experience and placement opportunities we have finally found a format where there is genuine exchange of experience between generations that can also lead to unexpected positive outcomes
We grown from 3 to 32 volunteers in the last 4 years and have reached and similar amount through our volunteer training whilst supporting other organizations.
This is just the beginning!
