plymouth seniornet: lottery funded project helping older people use the internet - jo atkey
DESCRIPTION
Jo Atkey of Plymouth SeniorNet presents at the Fourth Social Digital Symposium 24 January 2013TRANSCRIPT
Plymouth SeniorNetJo Atkey – Project Manager
Overview
• Place• Digital Plymouth• Partners• Funding• Project Aim & Outcomes• Stay in touch
Place
• Plymouth, Devon…not Portsmouth! – largest urban settlement in the mainly rural SW peninsula
• Population: 256,400 – growing but slower than forecast
• 41,700 people 65yrs+ - 16.3% of total pop; growth of 8.4% since 2001, higher than overall growth in the city (6.5%)
• 2000 people over 90 - 500 men; 1500 women
• Challenges for service providers – maintaining quality, choice and independence within ever more restrictive budgets
Data source: 2011 Census
Digital Plymouth• City-wide approach - City partners have set priorities covering
spread, quality and benefit; inclusion; shared services; wireless and/or mobile (4G) and marketing the city’s digital strengths as an inward investment tool
• Internet adoption rates – Plymouth is in the top 25% of broadband uptake although adoption rates are higher in the east of the city compared to the west which includes the City’s more deprived neighbourhoods.
• Average broadband speed – at 8.7mbps is higher than national average (6.7 mdps)
Source: Plymouth City Council
• Routeways Centre Limited – Plymouth-based charity; delivering a range of community-focused projects; track record of working successfully with vulnerable, isolated or excluded local people www.routeways.org.uk
• Age UK Plymouth – offers a wide range of services for older people and their carers: information & advice; advocacy services; home care; day opportunities and residential care http://www.ageuk.org.uk/plymouth/
• Plymouth University – expert advice and independent evaluation from the Faculty of Health, Education and Society
• http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/
Partners
Funding
• Big Lottery Silver Dreams Fund – looking to ‘pioneer ways to help vulnerable older people deal more effectively with life-changing events’
• £180,000 – between Sept 12 and Mar 14
• Funding - revenue and capital costs associated with delivering 1:1 support and group sessions to older people (65yrs+)
• Project team - PM, Volunteer Coordinator & IT Support & Information Officer
• Volunteers – (50yrs+) IT-literate and befrienders
Project Aim
• ‘Plymouth SeniorNet aims to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of isolated people across Plymouth through IT’
• 3 outcomes
Outcome 1
• Older people will be better connected with their peers, family and sources of support in the City. The older people who volunteer, as well as the age-peer they support will have a greater sense of control in their lives through the use of computers, as well as a greater sense of belonging to a community.
Outcome 2
• Older people will be able to use IT in their homes in ways that improve health and well-being and build resilience to manage change effectively. The project will support learning tailored to individual need, for example, using programmes that facilitate improved memory, or use IT to communicate sharing: similar interests, experiences as carers, help with bereavement, health issues and assist the hard of hearing.
Outcome 3
• Older people involved in the project as active volunteers will have increased knowledge and confidence, as well as a wider network of support; developing their understanding of how to make a real difference to the lives of their peer group by promoting happy and inclusive living. Existing support networks will be strengthened and supplemented by virtual connections.
Key activity• Promotional activity to attract volunteers and reach
isolated older people
• Broadband and equipment sourced to provide access to the internet for project beneficiaries in their own homes and other settings
• Up to 90 volunteers (50 yrs+) will be recruited and trained
• 200 older people (65 yrs +) will be supported, 50 in their own homes and 150 in other settings (e.g. care homes and sheltered accommodation providers)
• ‘Circles of Support’ - IT-related friendship networks will be established for each of the 50 beneficiaries to sustain their use of computers and the internet beyond the lifetime of the project.
Stay in touch
Blog: http://plymouthseniornet.wordpress.com/Twitter: @SeniorNetPlymFacebook: Plymouth SeniorNet