Campaign launched to tackle the digital divide facing older people

“During the pandemic, many of us have had to rely on the internet more than ever. The restrictions we've all faced have only underlined the importance of having access to the internet and being able to get online, in order to socialise, shop and participate in events and activities.

The government has introduced some great initiatives and has provided more than 1.3 million laptops and tablets to young people, and worked in partnership with mobile networks to provide broadband to help disadvantaged students access remote education during the pandemic. However it’s very important for older people to have digital access too.

That’s why I was so proud to join the Lewisham Pensioners Forum on International Women’s Day last week to help launch our campaign to tackle digital exclusion and improve internet access for older women. 

We know how much of a risk loneliness and isolation can be during lockdown, particularly for those who are digitally excluded. Getting our older residents online means that they can stay in contact with their friends and families, look up information in our digital libraries, and access vital services like shopping, banking and booking GP appointments more easily.

Having an internet connection in the home can make such a transformative difference to the lives of our older women, particularly as technology improves, enabling them to stay independent and access help easily when they need it.

It’s so important that we work together to help tackle the digital divide and ensure older residents in Lewisham are able to be ‘digital citizens’.

One of the main barriers to getting online for some older women is the cost of broadband. While some of us may take it for granted, it's not affordable for everyone. We need to encourage providers to offer more affordable broadband packages for our older residents, to make it easier for them to access the internet and participate online.

Another obstacle for older women is having the technology to get online, whether that’s a computer, a tablet or a smartphone. With access to public computers currently restricted due to the lockdown, it presents another challenge for getting our older residents online.

What’s being done to tackle digital exclusion?

There's some fantastic existing initiatives to help older residents tackle digital exclusion.

Community Connections Lewisham are offering older residents digital devices with a 12 month internet connection, and work with both Age UK Lewisham and Southwark to support older people in the borough. Read more about Community Connections Lewisham on their website.

Community Calling are working in collaboration with O2 to donate 12 months of free connectivity to those who are at risk from social isolation. This will include unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 6GB of data per month for a full year. All beneficiaries will also be able to access digital skills training remotely or at local support centres, equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in the longer term. Read more about the Community Calling initiative on the Hub Bub website.

I’m very pleased that Lewisham Homes, who are part of the Digital Poverty Alliance, are increasing internet access in their properties and helping their residents get online by distributing devices with 12 months free data.

Phoenix Community Housing, a local resident-led housing association, have also been working to provide digital devices and internet access to Phoenix residents who are digitally excluded as part of their Connected Together programme. Find out more about how Phoenix are providing devices and internet access to residents on the Phoenix website.

Catbytes is another fantastic local organisation that is helping Lewisham residents get online by loaning out laptops and providing tech support. Their ‘techy tea clubs’ and buddy schemes provide older people with the skills and knowledge they need to feel confident in using the internet and being a digital citizen. Find out more about the Catbytes Digital Community on their website.

It was great to hear from so many different organisations about the work they’ve been doing on digital inclusion at the campaign launch earlier this week. COVID-19 has shown that we can’t let the digital divide persist and we need to carry on working together to improving access to the internet for older women.

I look forward to seeing this very important and exciting campaign progress and will be continuing to work with the Digital Poverty Action Alliance as they work to help tackle the digital divide.”