Grants help seniors stay connected during lockdown

LOCAL groups have received funding from the federal government’s Be Connected grant program to help them give seniors the skills to stay socially connected during lockdown.

The Be Connected program looks to increase the IT literacy of regional Australians.

Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said the funding was timely, with people presently at greater risk of social isolation.

“These grants will help improve the online skills of our senior residents who are increasingly turning to the internet to access online services during the coronavirus.”

University of the Third Age (U3A) Surf Coast received $5,000 from the Be Connected grants.

U3A Surf Coast will use the funds to purchase iPads and sim cards which they will loan to seniors who have expressed interest in the program. U3A tutors will then walk the participants through the basic steps of setting up and using the devices through a series of phone calls.

U3A Surf Coast will initially be working with a group of five seniors, but president Susanne Crowe said she hoped afterward they would be able to help more.

“We were actually contacted by the shire and they had more people that we may be able to contact and help later.”

She said the participants are eager to learn but simply have not had the opportunity before.

“They’re very excited. In some ways they’re quite isolated. Sometimes simply because no one has taken the time to show them or been able to show them.”

U3A Surf Coast tutors are also presently learning techniques to help them run classes by distance.

Ms Crowe said this provides participants in the Be Connected program a further opportunity to digitally connect with others once they have the capabilities.

“We’re offering a number of classes online, and this would enable these people to join these classes and make those links.”

Geelong Regional Libraries Corporation (GRLC) also received $5,000 from the Be Connected grants.

GRLC will use the funds to purchase six iPads which Home Library Service clients will be able to borrow. They will then receive training from Home Library Service volunteers.

Chief executive officer Patti Manolis said extending their digital services would help the GRLC aid those most in need.

“Bridging the digital divide and increasing digital literacy is fundamental to the role of public library services.

“We are very grateful for this grant which will enable our Home Library Service participants to expand their confidence using digital technology, in a supported and familiar setting.”