Featured Volunteering Role: Digital Champion
Become a “You Can Do IT!” Digital Health Champion
Meet Debbie and Rob, they are both Digital Health Champions for the You Can Do IT! project run by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity. They host weekly sessions at a partner venue called Beacon House, in Bedford.
Debbie has been helping learners for some time now and has a background in teaching IT. She was keen to put her knowledge to good use in her local community to help and support others.
Debbie says: “The majority of learners have been complete beginners and very nervous about using technology, but with time and patience the learners soon gain confidence and begin to enjoy their one-to-one sessions and develop new skills that enable them to become more independent. One learner even said that it had been a life changing experience for her as she had now been able to connect with family and friends via zoom, which had really helped with her health and wellbeing as she no longer felt isolated.”
"it had been a life changing experience for her... which had really helped with her health and wellbeing as she no longer felt isolated"
Rob is relatively new to his role as Digital Health Champion and has recently completed his induction and volunteer training. His training involved attending an induction session to learn more about the role and the You Can Do IT! project. He then went on to complete online Safeguarding training and signed up to the Digital Unite website where he completed six short sessions on how to be a Digital Champion. These included subjects such as understanding the benefits and barriers online, being able to confidently assist beginners and intermediate digital learners, and practical skills on how to plan sessions.
Rob is now working with learners and said “I would advise anyone to become a Digital Health Champion with BedsRCC. As well as helping learners it has also helps you too; I have grown in confidence, improved my communication skills and continue to develop my own digital knowledge.
Both Debbie and Rob would agree that becoming a Digital Health Champion is a great way of meeting new people and that it gives them both a sense of satisfaction that they are able to help others develop new skills and independence. They also went on to say that you don’t have to be an expert in IT, just willing to help and support others.
If you are interested in helping out those in your own community, who need support with basic IT, take a look at the opportunities Beds RCC currently have listed on our Simply Connect Volunteering Platform.
If you have any questions regarding Simply Connect please email volunteering@cvsbeds.org.uk
