Over the past few weeks our Community Investment Team has trained 8 young residents to deliver basic IT sessions to residents of retirement age as part of the 'Get Connected' project. 

On Saturday 4th September older residents, the trainers and the various partners invovled came together for our 'Meeting Day'.

Participants came to fully understand the requirements of the course and the young trainers delivered small sessions about computers, internet and computer safety to kick things off.

Highlighting the challenges and benefits of IT...

Residents who've been on similar IT courses came to talk about some of the challenges and the benefits they've felt in getting online. Talk about local who offer support to communities to develop websites were also in attendance to talk about how groups can find their online voice and started this process by facilitating residents to share stories about their local area. 

On completing the sessions, the older residents, who are from the areas of Stockwell, Clapham and Brixton will receive a reconditioned laptop and internet connectivity to embed their learning.

Operating as a social enterprise...

We are working in partnership with the UK Online Centre - S&G Training who are accreditig the young peoples' learning with Microsoft certification, beginning with Powerpoint and Word qualifications. This group of young trainers, who we are also supporting to operate as a social enterprise started teaching learners this week on Tuesday and Thursday and will be delivering outreach sessions on our Community Bus this October during Get Online Week, so watch this space! Jodie Coulston, a resident and young trainer said: 'Get Connected has been beneficial for learners and myself, even at this stage my confidence has really started to grow.'

Sarah Mbatha, Regional Housing Director said: 'Projects like this are really valuable in bridging the gap that can exist between generations and helps grow confidence and skills for both the trainers and the learners.'