Tech Help For All program bridging the digital divide

After securing a $2,500 Be Connected grant, the City of Fremantle has contributed a further $4,500 to deliver a new Tech Help For All program that aims to increase the confidence, skills and online safety of older Fremantle residents when they use the internet.

Tech Help For All is a collaborative project between the City’s Community Development (Positive Ageing) and Lifelong Learning teams. It was developed in response to research exposing the dangers of the digital divide during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vast majority of Australia’s COVID-19 health information and services was delivered online, which made many older people, without the capacity nor the resources to navigate the internet, quite vulnerable during the pandemic.

One of the key priorities in Fremantle Council’s COVID-19 Community Recovery Plan was to explore ways to bridge the digital divide for those at risk of isolation and unable to access online services.

The City’s volunteer facilitator Fay Gerhard has been engaged to design and deliver the Tech Help For All course as an expansion of the Tech Help Wednesdays group she has run over the past few years.

“Over the past two years, I have been volunteering at Fremantle Library’s Wanjoo Welcome Lounge, which is an inclusive drop-in space for our over 55s community,” Ms Gerhard said.

“Here I help people understand essential technology learnings and help familiarise them with their own smartphones, laptops, tablets and other devices.

“With the rapid advance of technology, many older people can be left behind. They can feel overwhelmed, apprehensive and socially isolated, especially, if they have no one who can help them.

“Through sharing my knowledge, I hope I can make a difference in a person’s life by taking away their fear, building their confidence and helping them thrive in our tech-driven world.”

City of Fremantle Community Development Officer Kay Raymond said the Tech Help For All program was created for absolute technical beginners with little or no experience using computers or being online.

“During the COVID-19 lockdown, many Fremantle residents found themselves isolated at home with no ability to use technology to connect with loved ones,” Ms Raymond said.

“Through Tech Help For All, we want to make sure our residents don’t experience that again.

“If someone in your family needs help with technology, I encourage you to refer them to Tech Help For All.”

Tech Help For All begins on 13 October, and will be held Tuesdays from 9.30–11am in Fremantle Library.

For more information and to register for the classes, visit fremantle.wa.gov.au/techhelp.

Upcoming classes:

Image: Tech Help For All facilitator Fay Gerhard (centre) is helping Fremantle residents learn to use computers and the internet safely.