I started as a volunteer with Leeds Irish Health & Homes (LIHH) in March 2020, then lockdown happened. In May I was asked if I would deliver some online Digital Inclusion sessions via Zoom. I agreed and set about learning how to use Zoom and my previous 20 years teaching experience to plan how to deliver the sessions and make them engaging.
The sessions have been running every Thursday afternoon and the aim is to increase participants’ confidence when using an iPad or tablet. I started by sharing links to virtual tours of art galleries, museums and zoos. We have also looked at YouTube to explore Irish music, radio and hobby ideas. I quickly realised that the clients prefer a conversational approach to the sessions rather than a teacher–led session and homework!
I have been visiting a lonely client who has a lot of barriers to learning, he is dyslexic, anxious and did not have a positive education experience. His confidence is low so when I discovered his interest in cars during conversation, we decided to look at cars on the internet. He has a love of Porsches so we spend time looking at these and he tells me he used to drive, but doesn’t anymore. Looking at the images of cars leads onto discussions about happy family holidays in the south of England.
We then look at a learning platform, “Learn my way” and I save it on his home screen so he can access the website independently before my next visit, we look together at using the audio function to listen to the information to help with his dyslexia.
At the end of the visit he is smiling and tells me I am “a nice lady and he looks forward to my visits”.
Back at home I work on researching apps for our tablet lending scheme, I would like the iPads and tablets to be set up with a limited number of icons on the home screen so they are easier to use. I am looking for easy to use Solitaire, wordsearch and jigsaw apps. After speaking to clients about the tablet lending scheme I have also decided to download an Irish radio app so that with a few taps on the screen clients can listen to a local radio station from home.
Next up is a 1:1 session via Zoom with a client with history of severe mental health problems. We have been working on Spanish lessons using a language app called Duo lingo and the BBC bitesize website. Today we explore the Future Learn website for free history courses online. The client has an interest in family history, so we look at a course on researching your family tree, which she is very interested in.
We also take a virtual tour of Ancient Rome, which we both find fascinating. Finally, we look at a World War One course and chat about the causes of the war, glad I have a little knowledge! My client is very knowledgeable and is interested in all the courses. We agree that I will send a link to the website and show her how to register.
She is joining the ‘Mindful Crochet’ group tomorrow so I show her my hook and wool, she offers to help progress me from the chain I can make currently as she is an accomplished crafter and has a beautiful blanket on display, that she made, during Zoom sessions.
I have a new referral to ring next who has a laptop and would like to progress his knowledge. He tells me he is lonely and would like to join the Zoom bingo group and see people, so I send him a link to “Learn my way” and an invitation to the Zoom call. He already knows how to open a link so I will ring him tomorrow and talk him through the process to join the Zoom call and he sounds delighted when he confirms he has received the email.
I have a short window to plan my digital inclusion session for tomorrow. We are recording a message for the Leeds Irish Health and Homes Christmas video as some clients did not want to record a message by themselves. The clients have gained confidence using iPads during the sessions and they enjoy connecting with each other, for some the only social interaction they have at the moment is via Zoom or hospital appointments.
I decide that we will look at a website about Irish Christmas traditions to get the conversation going and some reminiscing. I liaise with a volunteer who will be on the call and she offers to ask some quiz questions around carols and Christmas songs. I send an email with the link, a reminder that Christmas jumpers and hats are optional, pens and paper at the ready for the quiz.
Another satisfying day connecting people digitally!