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Description
According to Central Statistical Office data (Use of Information and Communication Technology in Households in 2018), 60% of 65+ people have never used the Internet. During the COVID-19 pandemic, e-inclusion of senior citizens became a particularly urgent problem. Our diagnoses of seniors’ needs in ten municipalities showed that the seniors consider lack of access to the digital world one of their main problems.The project aims to counteract digital exclusion and its consequences among senior citizens.We will provide digital lessons for 60+ people (three training sessions each on tablets and smartphones, focusing on communication tools and using e-services). We will devise and implement in six municipalities a digital voluntary program for the seniors (two program workshops, volunteer training). In another six municipalities, seniors and institutions will devise municipal programs to adapt public services to elderly needs (three program meetings in each municipality). All participants will realize their own local community initiatives. Through the Active Senior Academy, we will provide training for twenty senior spokespersons (four training sessions online and 2 excursions), and awareness measures (min. twenty webinars) and organize a know-how sharing group for people concerned from all over Poland. We will make a film and hold a national conference on our accomplishments.Senior citizens from twelve rural municipalities and small towns (up to 20 000 inhabitants) will participate.120 60+ people will gain active digital world use skills, and thirty will pass on the attained knowledge and skills remotely to a minimum of another 100 senior citizens. Twenty will become spokespersons for the community for municipal authorities and autonomous institutions.
Summary of project results
The project addresses the issue of digital exclusion of senior citizens, especially those living in rural areas and small towns. According to data from the Central Statistical Office in 2018, as many as 60% of people aged 65 and over have never used the internet. 71% cited lack of skills as a barrier. Before the pandemic, only 26% of senior citizens used the internet at least once a week, compared to 48% in the European Union (Eurostat). During the pandemic, the digital exclusion of this social group became a particularly pressing issue. Indeed, the pandemic has forced the computerisation of many public services, health services, shopping, etc. This is convenient, but requires the ability to use online tools. Especially in rural communities and small towns where public transport is limited, the ability to do things online is crucial.
As part of the project, a series of training sessions were held for 28 senior advocates (four online training sessions and two off-site workshops). A digital training programme was conducted in 14 communities, involving a total of 188 seniors (3 workshops in each community). The trainings focused on communication tools and the use of e-services such as patient.gov.pl or online shopping. A digital senior volunteer programme was developed in 6 municipalities, where 32 people supported their peers in developing digital skills. A total of 103 people benefited from the volunteering. In a further 7 municipalities, programmes were developed and piloted - jointly by senior citizens and municipal institutions - to adapt public services to the needs of this group. In 13 municipalities - in response to problems such as the poor flow of information addressed to them in the municipality, the low level of activity and the need for integration of the elderly community, the lack of education in the field of digital and health security - 65+ people have implemented their own initiatives. In addition, regular educational meetings were held as part of the Active Senior Academy - 20 webinars were held on various topics identified by the participants.
The activities took place in 14 rural municipalities or small towns (up to 20,000 inhabitants). The senior advocates supported the people 65+ in their contacts with municipal offices and local government institutions (e.g. social welfare centres, cultural centres). 188 people aged 65+ have acquired skills that will enable them to actively and regularly use the digital world, especially in terms of communicating with others and using online public services (e.g. patient.gov.pl). Older residents of rural communities or small towns can benefit from improved public services that are better adapted to their needs. An important value is the personal benefits experienced by the people involved in the project, such as an increase in their digital and social skills, the establishment of new contacts and exchange of experiences, greater confidence in dealing with public administration. It has been successful in integrating local communities of people aged 65+ and motivating them to take action.