Increasing IT confidence and combatting isolation
The Fountain Trust was established in April 2020 and is run entirely by volunteers. It operates in Glasgow and aims to support vulnerable and disadvantaged people with a specific focus on the elderly and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the group identified that many elderly people in their community were becoming increasingly isolated due to their struggles with modern technology. Individuals were unable to access vital information, shopping and were missing family and friends as they were unable to connect online.
A grant from the Sir George Earle Benevolent Fund enabled the Fountain Trust to launch their Silver Surfer programme and employ a sessional worker to deliver training to people 55 years and above who were lacking confidence in using smartphones, tablets and PCs. Participants were offered one to one support tailored to their needs. And over the course of a few months, their confidence and knowledge increased enabling them to access online newspapers, banking, and shopping in addition to keeping in touch with family and friends online. As well as providing training, the group were also able to loan IT equipment to those participants who didn't have their own.
The project supported 30 individuals and feedback received from participants said that the training had enabled them to feel more confident online and had greatly reduced their feelings of isolation.