Young people will soon step up to teach their elders some of the basics of life in the digital age.
Sunshine’s Youth Now will use $40,000 in funding from the state government’s Digital Literacy for Older Victorians program to help older people connect online.
Youth Now will partner one or more digital- literacy trainers with about 50 young residents who will teach older folk new tricks.
More than 200 Brimbank seniors will have access to the new online training program, due to begin at five libraries in August.
Youth Now’s Passing IT On program co-ordinator Kamma Clarke says libraries at Sunshine, Keilor Village, St Albans, Deer Park and Sydenham will deliver the training until June 30 next year.
“We will deliver to a minimum of 200 residents over the age of 65 in the course of the 12 months,” Ms Clarke said. “We hope to work with at least 50 young people from 16 and older, including secondary students and our trainees, over the course of the project.”
While the program will show seniors what is possible with the latest technology, young participants will learn a thing or two also.
“The unique part of our program is that we’re using the skills of young people to share their knowledge of technology with our seniors,” Ms Clarke said.
“In return, we ask our seniors to share some of their knowledge, wisdom and stories, either with our young people or with another person in the community.
“We want to ‘pass IT on’ so that this program initiates community sharing and learning across generations,” she said.
Details: 8311 5800
