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- North Longford Irish Girl Guides Senior Branchers worked with the residents of their local Nursing Home to share digital skills as part of the Hi Digital programme with Vodafone Foundation.
- To celebrate the International Day of Older Persons, the partners launched a video showcasing this experience. Discover the video here: https://youtu.be/DC0oQxpXKPs
- Since 2023, 25 Irish Girl Guides Units have been trained by Vodafone Foundation as Digital Champions and have subsequently trained over 2000 older adults.
Dublin, 01/10/2024 – Over the year, the Irish Girl Guides North Longford Senior Branchers have been visiting the residents of Laurel Lodge Nursing Home to teach them digital skills, as part of the Vodafone Foundation Hi Digital programme.
The Irish Girl Guides and Vodafone Foundation have partnered on this programme to help older adults feel comfortable with digital usage and skills, and to combat isolation and loneliness. The Hi Digital course is divided into short lessons, teaching participants skills on how to access the internet, use smartphones, stay safe online, and identify and avoid scams and fraud.
The Laurel Lodge residents were delighted to learn new skills which enable them to stay connected with the world. One resident learned how to send texts to her son through her mobile, another learned how to play music and watch mass on her phone, and now plans to follow mass three times a day. Another resident can now access his favourite news outlets through online newspapers.
The IGG Senior Branch enjoyed chatting with the residents over freshly baked scones and live music all provided by the Irish Girl Guides.
Irish Girl Guides members participate in this mutually beneficial programme, as Hi Digital matches perfectly with the organisation’s values. The girls also learn from their discussions with older people and their life experiences. It teaches them empathy, patience, and skills to transmit their knowledge.
They really enjoyed getting involved in this intergenerational learning, and it is clear from the video that everyone involved benefited. To watch the video: https://youtu.be/DC0oQxpXKPs
Roisin Mills, Irish Girl Guides Programme and Training Commissioner, adds: “The Hi Digital programme has provided a unique opportunity for our girls to fulfil their promises of service to others, as they work alongside the older adults to teach them the digital skills that will keep them connected to the ever-growing digital world, hugely enhancing as well as improving their quality of life. We are very thankful to have partnered with Vodafone Foundation to bring this program into communities across Ireland. We are very impressed with the hard work of the North Longford Girl Guides and our Hi Digital Units across Ireland”
Liz Roche, Head of Vodafone Foundation, said: “At Vodafone, we trust in the power of connection, and the Hi Digital programme is a perfect example of how we can bridge generational gaps through technology. Seeing the North Longford Irish Girl Guides share their digital knowledge with older adults at Laurel Lodge Nursing Home is inspiring and we are delighted to partner with the Guides to further expand our Hi Digital initiative.”
Vodafone Foundation: Vodafone Foundation uses the power of connectivity to change lives and address some of the world’s most important and pressing problems. Founded in 1991 with a simple mission to invest in the communities in which Vodafone operates, today the charity works globally to connect people and ideas with technology and funding – to help those who are already doing good work to achieve results faster, more cost effectively and with an even greater social impact.
Irish Girl Guides: Irish Girl Guides has 10,000 members across Ireland. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,600 volunteer Leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens.
Press contact:
Celia Melcus
Public Relations and Advocacy Officer
01-6683898 ext. 104 / (086) 136-7824
