Longford students help bridge the digital gap between generations

The final Vodafone Hi Digital class took place at The Yard Hub in Abbeyshrule recently marking the end of a hugely successful 6-week programme.
The Hi Digital initiative in association with the Vodafone Ireland Foundation and charity partner ALONE aims to bridge the digital gap between generations and help older individuals embrace digital literacy and learn more about the online world.

The programme aims to create a more connected community, reducing loneliness and isolation among the older population.
Over the course of six weeks, 28 enthusiastic participants from across county Longford took part in the free digital skills classes at The Yard Hub in Abbeyshrule.
Twelve Transition Year student volunteers from Mercy Secondary School in Ballymahon and two community volunteers trained as Digital champions delivered the course in personalised one to one sessions with the participants.

Participants were taught how to access the internet, do business online, use smartphones, tablets or laptops and stay safe online.
Stephanie Casey, Foundation Project Manager with the Vodafone Ireland Foundation attended the final class and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to The Yard Hub and Manager John Kelly for spearheading this initiative as the first Hub in Ireland to run the Hi Digital programme.

Ms Casey thanked the Mercy Secondary School and its TY volunteers, highlighting their pivotal role in realising the programme’s success. She spoke of her hopes that following the success of Hi Digital in The Yard Hub that the initiative would expand across the Hub network, fostering digital empowerment on a broader scale.
Josephine Donohue, Principal of Mercy Convent Ballymahon, thanked The Yard Hub, ALONE and Vodafone for the opportunity for the TY students to take part in the initiative and gain valuable skills.
Ms Donohue emphasised the reciprocal nature of the learning experience as participants picked up invaluable digital skills, students also picked up profound learnings, fostering intergenerational bonds and mutual understanding.

John Kelly, Commercial Manager of The Yard Hub commented, “We are proud to be the first Hub in Ireland to deliver this fantastic initiative and we are delighted with the success that it has been, it reaffirms our commitment at The Yard Hub to support the learning needs of our community and to give back to the community where possible. It was heartwarming to witness the friendships forged between participants and students, highlighting the social significance of the initiative, which was just as crucial as its educational achievements.”

Mr Kelly extended heartfelt thanks to the Transition Year students of Mercy Convent Ballymahon, without whom the initiative would not have achieved its remarkable success. He also expressed gratitude to Mr Seery, TY head and the various teachers who attended throughout the weeks for their support.

He acknowledged the invaluable contributions of community volunteers Carmel Keenan and Shane Moran, and he thanked Stephanie Casey from the Vodafone Foundation and Caroline Hopkins from ALONE, for their support prior to, and throughout the course.
For more on the Hi Digital initiativ see www.hidigital.ie Check out The Yard Hub on www.connectedhubs.ie/ hubs/profile/4420