Silver Surfer Club

Volunteers Wanted!

• Help an older person learn how to use an ipad/smartphone/computer
• Earn credits towards DkIT Elevate
• Practice and learn employability skills
• Spend some time, have a chat and a cuppa, make another friend

Classes will run for 2 hours (2:00-4:00pm) on Wednesday or Thursdays (TBC) over 5-7 weeks, starting 5th February with an induction and training session for volunteer tutors, presented by Age Action. All materials will be provided for lessons. A certificate of completion will be presented to both volunteers and learners at the end of the 20 hour programme.

Digital exclusion is an issue of growing concern in a world that is rapidly becoming digitally dependent. For some older people, the prevalence of digital technologies in all aspects of social, economic and personal life is proving to be liberating and life enhancing. For others, however, the digital world represents an array of daily barriers instead of a basket of opportunities.

Since 2006 Age Action, with funding from the department of education and skills, has provided training for over 35,000 older people, with the help of thousands of volunteers, through their Getting Started Computer Training programme. NetwellCASALA at DkIT, in collaboration with Age Action, is seeking student and staff volunteers to offer one-to-one training on ipads, computers and smartphones for older people in our local community.

Classes will run for 2 hours (10:30-12:30 or 2:00-4:00pm) over 5-6 weeks, starting in mid-late February. Age Action will provide an induction and training session for volunteers and guidance throughout the programme as necessary. Including training and preparation, volunteers would contribute approximately 2.5 hours per week over 8 weeks (20 hours).

The programme is coordinated by Suzanne Smith, Centre Manager at NetwellCASALA, who will also sign off on participation by students volunteers seeking DkIT Elevate credit for their volunteer work. A certificate of completion will be presented to both volunteers and learners at the end of the programme.

It is expected that students volunteering in this programme will practice and develop key employability skills including interpersonal and verbal communication, active listening, problem solving and creativity, empathy, team work, collaboration, managing expectations and instructional/teaching skills. As the programme develops and progresses past the initial 6 week Age Action programme, there may also be opportunities for student volunteers to become involved in programme management, development, promotion and administration for further skill development.

For more information contact Suzanne at 042 9370497 or at suzanne.smith@dkit.ie