I’ve started volunteering at a local community wellbeing ‘café’ which is run in conjunction with the local Council. It caters to a wide range of adults of different ages and backgrounds. It took a few weeks for my disclosure check to go through, but I now have the all-clear to be working with adults in such a capacity.
My title is ‘Volunteer Helper – Adult Literacy & Learning’. I’m there to help people with their devices whether it be mobile, tablet, or laptop. From helping them get setup online with banking, getting connected to the local council to access services, through to showing how to send a text or WhatsApp message. It’s essentially a lot of the key basic IT literacy skills, instructing people in how to use their devices, and enabling access to a range internet-based services. With the transfer of so many services that used to be taken for granted on every high street moving to online only, I feel this is an extremely necessary role. The digital disenfranchisement is very real and a serious issue, depriving many of those that often need those services the most.
My services will be promoted locally shortly, and I’m looking forward to being able to help folk out with technology.
