Section: Housing and Care
Investment to Extend Internet Access for Sheltered Residents
Plans were announced for central government funding of £2.9 million to enable nearly 20,000 people living in sheltered housing to be switched on to the internet.
With two thirds of those over the age of 65 in sheltered housing without online access, the new 'Get Digital' programme will help them become internet users and enjoy the wider social and economic benefits of the digital world.
'Get Digital' will be delivered on the Government's behalf by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and Digital Unite. It will provide residents with access to computers and the training they need to make the most of the new technology on offer. Local schools will also link up with sheltered housing schemes, so that young and old can learn together.
Digital Unite's experience on previous programmes suggests that learning digital skills can transform the lives of older people in sheltered housing, bringing residents together as they discover new shared interests and passions.
Alongside the social benefits, more and more services are going online so the new programme will mean that the thousands in sheltered housing are not isolated and left behind.
By the end of March 2011, Get Digital will:
- Work with 195 sheltered housing schemes nationwide, including 81 schemes in rural areas, providing around 7,800 residents internet access.
- Extend internet access to a further 300 schemes and up to 20,000 residents in total.
- Develop communal IT facilities in sheltered housing schemes, making technology easily accessible to the 600,000 people who live in sheltered housing, as well as others in the local community.
- Provide resources, including expert Scheme Support tutors, to boost computer literacy. Fear of fraud and online jargon are cited as barriers to older people going online. The training on offer will increase their confidence using the web.
- Promote and support 'Get Digital' partnerships between sheltered housing and local schools and other groups of young people for intergenerational learning activities. This work is intended to develop greater trust between younger and older people and it is hoped that this will lead to a decrease in fear of young people in a neighbourhood - something acknowledged to be a main source of insecurity for older people.
- Provide a wide range of support materials for RSLs to enable them to set up and sustain facilities for residents. This will include advice and guidance on appropriate equipment and connectivity, free training and resources for residents, extensive advice and guidance on working with local organisations to sustain digital literacy activities and Small grants to set up communal PC facilities.
