Hands-on help to build confidence and connect.

When Digital Seniors' CEO, Cathy Hardinge undertook her Masters on Digital Exclusion, there was one topic that came up over and over in her research. The digital divide was particularly prevalent with people aged over sixty-five. In fact, a 2021 BNZ and Office for Seniors report found that seniors are much less likely to have essential digital skills (33% of people aged 60-69 lacked these skills, increasing to 50% for those aged 70-79 and 79% for those aged 80 plus).

At the time, there were very few services available to help older people to upskill and gain confidence to engage with the digital world.

"These days, it is near-on impossible to avoid technology," says Digital Seniors Team Lead, Niki Jones, "especially since cheques were phased out and more and more services have transitioned online, the need to have some level of digital competency is at an all-time high."

One-on-one services for digital inclusion

The Wairarapa region has the highest percentage of older people in the country and one of the largest rates of loneliness and social isolation reported in seniors nationwide, so it made sense that Digital Seniors' first services were launched there. Since 2018, Digital Seniors has provided free help to thousands of older people covering over 13,000 technology-related topics from Masterton to Cape Palliser. Delivered from community hubs, via house visits and for some users, online, these topics range from downloading apps, to using online banking, upskilling on design platforms like Photoshop or Zoom 101.

"Technology offers so many opportunities – to access basic services and entertainment, connect socially and keep up to date with news," says Niki, "however there can be a lot of fear and hesitation to engage with it."

Acknowledging these common barriers, Digital Seniors' approach is trust-based and tailored to the individual. "We're all about relationship building – we know that when someone trusts their mentor, they are far more likely to feel confident with trying new things and will persist until they say, 'I've got it!"

Primed for nationwide growth

Through the success of its pilot, Digital Seniors now run 5 hubs throughout the Wairarapa. They are a place for learning and social connection, says Niki, which is instrumental to its success. Digital Seniors sought funding for operational costs and to help expand its services into retirement villages.

"During the pandemic, we noticed many older people living in rest homes needed tech support but often staff do not have the skills themselves to help," says Niki, "over the next 6-months, we plan to offer training to upskill them so rest home residents can also experience the benefits of technology to the fullest."

Nikau Foundation was delighted to assist with a $3500 grant from the Margaret Neave Endowment Fund.