The charity Groundwork run the Silver Connections project which aims to tackle isolation by supporting over 50s to learn smartphone top tips and meet new people.

The Silver Connections project is designed to increase the confidence of Hackney residents aged over 60, using smart phone technology to find out about local events and attractions.

Having friends to turn to and places to visit can be a huge source of support for people who may otherwise be spending a lot of time on their own. Research into loneliness shows the detrimental effects of isolation.

Silver Connections ensures bringing people together to get out and about, socialise and learn a few new skills.

Throughout the course, participants are taught how to get the most out of their phones, more than simply making phone calls. Sessions cover using the phone as a personal assistant, researching on a phone, planning outings, discovering and making the most of apps and leaving feedback.

The courses culminate with a groups visit to a local place of interest. So far they have visited Sutton House, Dalston Curve Garden and Hackney City Farm.

Silver Connections is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and is part of the wider Connect Hackney, a project dedicated to the wellbeing of Hackney residents over 50 years old. The course is run on an on-going basis and is open to residents of Hackney who are over 60.

Naomi Freeman, Senior Project Officer at Groundwork, said: “Our Silver Connections project tackles isolation by supporting over 50s to learn smartphone top tips and meet new people. The aim is for participants to form social bonds through the learning of new skills together.

“Since the pandemic, we’ve switched to delivering our 6-week course via Zoom conferencing – this also includes a 1:1 get started on zoom session! A previous participant said: “Everything is great, it improved my knowledge of my phone. Normally I rely on my son and now I can solve most of the problems myself!”

Their next course starts on Wednesday 23rd September 2:00-3:30pm.

To book a place or find out more please contact Naomi on 07736135260 or email silverconnections@groundwork.org.uk

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