In October, our cohort of Digital Champions trainees graduated from the programme and participated in a final reflection session and awards ceremony.
Digital Champions is a service designed to train volunteers from local small charities and community groups to gain digital confidence and new skills, to then share with their own communities.
The Journey
Over five in-person sessions and a number of online meet ups, a range of subjects were covered, including essential digital skills, setting goals, assessment and pathways, online safety, working with different devices, and providing instructions and exercises.
In the final session, volunteers reflected on what they learned and how they helped others after gaining essential digital skills.
Success Stories
Leena from MILAAP MultiCultural Day Centre shared that she taught a member to download WhatsApp, join their group chat, and send voice notes in her home language. She also supported use of the NHS app and taught members how to book appointments, which became a hit among the group.
Barbara from the Kingston Ramblers and Mind in Kingston helped people edit WhatsApp messages and easily zoom in on PC screens.
Meanwhile, Imane and Nadia from Migrant Advocacy Service and Surbiton Community Fridge assisted residents with financial apps like Monzo, as well as how to fill out Google Forms and share their location.
Lastly, Sonhae from Korean Senior Citizens showed her friend how to join Zoom calls, use banking apps, and send photos.
"It was a very simple thing for me, but I realised it was difficult for her," she said.
Caspar, founder of Clear Community Web, who ran the training programme for us, emphasised how seeing that their trainers once struggled with the same issues makes learners more comfortable and open to learning.
Exploring Digital Unite
The trainees discussed the benefits of the Digital Unite platform, with licences funded by the programme, and offering 25+ CPD-certified e-learning courses and a wealth of resources.
They found it incredibly useful for learning new skills, the centralised information and for logging support provided.
Challenges and Solutions
The discussion then turned to challenges they faced. One common issue was members' reluctance to embrace new technology.
Caspar and Kate advised breaking down solutions into digestible chunks and being patient, acknowledging the frustrations that come with repetition.
Another issue was the limited help they could give around finance and social tariffs, but Caspar noted that Digital Champions can help people make informed choices when they cannot be of direct service. And that Kate and James from Superhighways are on hand to share information about the various options available when data poverty is an issue.
The group also shared tips about useful apps and software, such as Google Forms and the NHS app.
Looking Ahead
When asked how the next round of the programme could be improved, we found that feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Suggestions included more networking opportunities, role-playing exercises, and training on handling negativity.
"It would be nice to meet up with other Digital Champions," said Barbara.
We plan to organise quarterly meet ups for the Digital Champions programme alumni and promote Digital Unite's forum so our Champions can keep connected and continue their learning.
As the day came to an end, Caspar concluded with some final remarks and pieces of advice for our Digital Champions.
Try to involve your learners in every step of the way. It means that they will always be part of that journey, even if they're just pressing the final submit button.
The image above shows five out of ten Digital Champions participants holding their certificates, with two receiving a Certificate of Achievement for completing the entire course.
Visit our Digital Champions webpage to find out more about the programme.
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