Inspiring digital activities by stealth
Motivation is one of the key barriers to people not being online. Many people feel they don’t have a need to be online and have no desire to learn to use technology, often getting a family member or friend to step in to help with an online form or paying a bill. But being digitally isolated can have a huge impact on social and financial inclusion, health and wellbeing and more.
Providing opportunities to explore someone’s personal interests online could be a catalyst for them wanting to learn more about the internet and digital tools. For example, a sports fan may enjoy looking up the latest news on their team, an artist could be encouraged to share a photo of their work on social media, or a keen walker could download a pedometer app.
Below are examples of inspiring digital activity within existing groups:
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts sessions are a wonderful way of getting people to use digital “on the sly” by tapping into the hobbies they currently partake in. This can be done by searching for patterns and pictures online or even looking up YouTube tutorials.
Using a YouTube tutorial for members to follow instructions while the host controls the speed of the tutorial pausing while the work continues, replaying if needed, and working through the tutorial until the final pieces are revealed to the group.
Digital equipment needed – a screen or TV to display to the group, an internet connection, and a device to access YouTube (smart TV, computer).
Organising a day out
Using a search engine to see what is on around the local area and plan a day out can encourage people to get online without them realising it. Attendees could use a device connected to the internet to search for what’s nearby, clicking on the website of a place and looking at upcoming events on their webpage.
Digital equipment needed – an internet connection and a device to access search engines.
Ancestry
Ancestry allows people to research into their family history using resources and records that they would otherwise not be able to access easily. The County Durham library service allows its members to use Ancestry free of charge on the library's in-house computers. Librarians are available to help a member get online and logged onto this free service.
Digital equipment needed – A free Durham County Council library membership. An internet connection, and use of a library computer. A membership to Ancestry would be required if not taking place within a library.
Lifetime storybook
A lifetime storybook involves people using internet searches and Google maps to collect images of houses, schools, places of work and holiday destinations. This could include buildings and factories that no longer exist, or new housing estates which have changed the local landscapes. These are then added to Microsoft PowerPoint or Microsoft Word to showcase the story of someone’s life, from birth to the current day. The individual can add memories and stories so the document reads as an autobiography and could even be printed.
Digital equipment needed – a screen or TV to display to the group, an internet connection and a laptop or computer to create the storybook. Printer if required.
Sporting interests
Using someone’s passion is a great enabler to getting them online. Sporting enthusiasts could be encouraged to access online supporters’ groups, news article, podcasts and shop online for their team’s merchandise as a way of engaging those digitally excluded.
Digital equipment needed – Devices and an internet connection.
Everyone’s motivations and interests vary and while the above examples may not be right for your group, it will hopefully inspire creativity in helping digitally excluded use the internet to enhance their hobbies and experiences.
We would love to hear your ideas and how you have introduced a digital element to your community groups so please share them by sending us a message at: digital.durham@durham.gov.uk
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