Your NNC: Blog

Volunteers ready to provide community support at the fortnightly Digital Learning Hub.

Client/Service Spotlight
July 2023

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NNC pilots Digital Learning Hub to address Australia’s digital divide

Imagine you’ve lost your mobile phone. A ball of anxiety begins to form in the pit of your stomach.
Your phone is not just a device you use to make calls; it stores your personal information and family photos, and it’s how you participate in society, whether it’s using the internet to access emails and information or connecting with your community through social media.

What if one day you couldn’t use your phone because it was in a language you don’t understand.
Consider you don’t own a phone at all…how do you feel now?

NNC’s trials first Digital Learning Hub

Technology has changed the way we learn, work and live. The global pandemic cemented this even further, with a growing reliance on digital technologies to keep us connected to the world, to our jobs, to services, and to our loved ones.
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However, access is not equally shared. Not by a long shot. And Australia is no exception, with many vulnerable community groups missing the equipment or the digital literacy skills to use it effectively. After weeks of preparation, including an induction and training program for volunteers, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre (NNC) held its first Digital Learning Hubs earlier this month.

Katie Yealland, NNC’s Homeless & Community Programs Team Leader says volunteers were able to help with issues around email passwords, setting up mobile phones, sending text messages, installing apps on phones and answering questions around scams and accessing government services, such as Centrelink.  

“We tend to get a lot of questions from the community around tech issues that the Centre is not normally equipped to resolve, so it was very encouraging to see people come forward and be able to receive the attention and the support they needed,” explains Yealland.

“These kinds of support needs can be quite time-intensive, so people can rest assured that our volunteers will be able to provide the time to step them through and resolve any technical questions,” she continues. “We even had one member of the community ask about how to use Spotify to listen to music, so it was great to be able to get that working for her on her phone.”

Digital Learning Hub available throughout August
 
Volunteers will be available on the 3rd, 17th and 31st of August to provide essential digital support to those in need ranging from:

• setting up of email accounts
• setting up of mobile phones
• accessing online services, such as MyGov, Centrelink, NDIS, My Aged Care, and NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages
• accessing transport maps and timetables
• booking doctor appointments online, through to
• understanding cyber security and scams.

 
All are welcome and there is no need to book!
 
Keeping our community connected

The need for the Digital Learning Hub initiative is being driven by the many community groups falling behind, when it comes to technology.
 
“These days, having a mobile phone number, email or access to the internet has become essential for many people to work, learn, live, and getting in touch with health and government organisations,” says Yealland.
 
“Yet far too often, people are coming to the Centre seeking access to a mobile phone or needing help with online services, such as banking, Centrelink, and even rental applications. As more organisations move online and our reliance on technology grows, this issue of a ‘digital divide’ is becoming more prevalent in our community.
 
“At NNC, we know being connected to one’s community is critical to prevent social isolation, which can affect a person’s health and wellbeing, particularly for groups such as seniors.”
 
“And the problem isn’t just limited to just one section of the community; it’s affecting many vulnerable groups, such as those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, those facing financial difficulties, and those for whom English is a second language, as well as seniors,” explains Yealland.
 
Sadly, this is the reality for almost one in four (23.6 per cent) Australians who, according to the 2023 Australian Digital Inclusion Index, are considered to be excluded or highly excluded from the digital landscape.
 
Highly excluded Australians are more likely to have a disability (24.5%), live in public housing (28.2%), have not completed secondary school (32.5%), or are over 75 years of age (42.3%).
 
“Our hope is that through this pilot of the Digital Learning Hub, we’re able to help build the community’s skills base for those vulnerable groups that are falling through the cracks and fill that digital gap,” concludes Yealland.
 



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Digital Learning Hub 

NNC’s Digital Learning Hub will be open for the next three fortnights on from our Information & Referral office:

• Thursday, 3 August 10:00am-1:00pm
• Thursday, 17 August 10:00am-1:00pm
• Thursday, 31 August 10:00am-1:00pm

 
All are welcome and there is no need to book!
 
For more information visit: https://www.newtowncentre.org/whats-on.html
 
We’re always keen to hear from you, so if you have any ideas for classes you might be interested in attending or running, please email us [email protected].
 
* The Australian Digital Inclusion Index is joint initiative, led by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, in conjunction with RMIT University, Swinburne University, Australian National University, Telstra.

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