Note: This case study is based on a real client experience. Names and some identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.
Background and Challenge
Nora, an older resident living in community housing in inner Sydney, was keen to improve her skills with everyday technology. She had been struggling to use her smartphone since she purchased it, and with more entertainment and services moving online she felt that she was missing out.
Nora wanted to improve her proficiency using her smartphone for tasks such as navigating menus, installing apps, and accessing entertainment like movies, music and fitness programs. She also wanted assistance to manage her digital vaccination certificate and help using the Qantas app for travel.
The Youngster.co Solution
Nora was introduced to Youngster.co through her community housing provider. To address Nora’s goals, the Youngster.co program matched her with Max, a tech-savvy local young person eager to share his knowledge and learn from the wisdom of older people in his community.
Max provided a series of one-on-one, in-person tech skills sessions in a room provided by her community housing. He began by assessing Nora’s current skill level and understanding her specific goals. Together, they crafted a personalised learning plan that covered each of Nora’s desired areas of improvement.
Nora’s three goals were to improve her confidence in:
- Using her phone, including scrolling, using menus and navigating.
- Installing and using apps on her phone.
- Accessing entertainment through her phone or computer, such as movies, music and games.
The Experience
During each session Max and Nora worked together on practical real-life learning, doing tasks together using her phone.
In addition to specific skills, Max also taught Nora how to find the answers to tech questions she might have in the future. This approach not only empowered Nora to accomplish her immediate goals but also equipped her with the confidence to tackle new challenges on her own. As Nora explained after completing the sessions:
“The most important skill I learnt is not being scared, knowing if I just try I can work things out or at least know where to look for answers.”
During the sessions Nora and Max also connected on a personal level. At the start Nora had very little confidence connecting with younger people in her community, but over the course of the sessions Nora and Max got to know each other.
The Outcomes
Nora completed a skills assessment both before and after the program. The results showed a significant improvement in her confidence with technology overall, and in her three goal areas.
Specific outcomes for Nora included:
- Phone skills: Enhanced proficiency using her smartphone, including scrolling, navigating and installing and using apps.
- Community participation: Increased ability to find information on community events and activities online, and to connect with others using Zoom.
- Entertainment options: Improved confidence accessing entertainment on platforms like Spotify and Apple Fitness, and travel bookings in the Qantas app.
- Government services: Ability to add a vaccination certificate to a My Gov account.
- Self-help: Increased understanding of how to find answers to tech questions and issues in the future.
Beyond tech skills, the interaction between Nora and Max fostered a meaningful intergenerational connection, where Max benefited from Nora’s life experiences and wisdom while Nora appreciated Max’s patience and expertise. Nora’s feedback on Max was overwhealmingly positive:
“I found him very helpful, letting me learn at my own pace and giving me the opportunity to find the solution myself before showing me how to do something.”
Conclusion
Youngster.co not only equipped Nora with essential tech skills but also enriched her life through meaningful connections and newfound confidence.
By empowering older adults like Nora to embrace technology, programs like Youngster.co contribute positively to community engagement and intergenerational connection, showcasing the profound impact of knowledge-sharing and empathy in bridging generational divides.
How to book
If you’re interested in experiencing the benefits of personalised tech support like Nora did, you can easily get started with Youngster.co:
- Go to https://youngster.co/seniors/
- Fill out the form on the page with your details and specific needs
- We’ll get in touch to discuss your needs and handle it from there.
Alternatively, you can call us directly at 1300 774 711.
