At Digital Unite we offer a structured training programme for groups and communities. We call it Community Learning.
Digital Unite Community Learning is a bespoke and practical group learning approach designed to introduce the world of digital technology to older and less confident technology users in local communities such as sheltered housing.
We teach a group of people, staff and residents, essential digital skills. As the group learns, they create a self-sustaining, self-teaching digital community. Our emphasis is on working with you to create a community that lasts and keeps on growing, long after the formal training has finished.
We have designed, evolved and refined the methodology over eight years as a result of our experience in successfully delivering the community learning methodology, most recently via the Get Digital project.
Our quality assured and experienced tutors provide empathetic and easy to understand tuition tailored to individual needs. The learning covers all essential digital areas from getting started on a pc and handling a mouse, to using Skype and webcams, browsing the internet or interacting with others via online forums and social networks.
Why community learning
Digital inclusion including access to the internet and the skills to use it is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a must have. Our Community Learning programme can bring multiple benefits to an organisation:
- Engaged tenants/service users who learn new skills, build a stronger support network and can overcome social isolation.
- Learning opportunities for paid and voluntary staff that give them the chance to thrive and develop in a stimulated and sustained environment.
- Recognition by your peers and local network as an innovative and forward thinking service provider.
- A practical and proven way to break down barriers and build relationships across your entire community.
Why kind of groups does it suit?
Any. We developed Digital Unite Community Learning specifically for sheltered housing residents but it works for all kinds of group. As it’s all about sharing and supporting others, it doesn’t matter if the group has mixed skill levels.
“Installing computers and running a digital learning programme brought a range of benefits to residents, such as helping them stay in touch with family and friends, finding a new hobby, helping people buy things more cheaply and bringing people together.
“Our sheltered housing schemes are valuable community resources and having technology facilities make our scheme even more attractive to new residents and other older people in the community. We are also looking forward to building on our existing relationships with schools and community groups to see how the new facilities can benefit them as well.” Dave Willis, Chief Executive, Wellingborough Homes