Clare man helping connect his peers.
Eugene Philips is a man on a mission.
His goal is to do all he can to improve basic digital skills among over 65’s in Ireland. This includes demonstrating to others the basics of modern technology which many of us take for granted – the likes of video calls, emails and searching for information on the web. It’s not long since the Co. Clare man completed
Vodafone Ireland Foundation’s Hi Digital programme, designed with the support of partners, Active Retirement Ireland and ALONE.
But now he’s one of the first Active Retirement Ireland Digital Ambassadors appointed by the programme. Eugene was inspired by the simplicity of the tuition to share what he learned with others. “This is totally new to me because for as long as I had been working, even though I was running some companies I never got really involved with anything to do with computers. I had done some courses over the years but I found I didn’t learn enough because the people doing the teaching were speaking to me at a level I didn’t understand. “However, with Hi Digital, the emphasis is on the basics which is what beginners only want to know and it teaches people in a language that is on their level and easy to understand.” The 75-year-old – who is the Regional Development Officer for Active Retirement Ireland in the mid-west – has since undergone intensive technology training, Hi Digital train-the-trainer training and Hi Digital platform training.
“I figured that what Hi Digital did for me it could do for others, and I wanted to show my peers that getting online is not too big a task for anyone even if they feel they have been left behind.
“I am looking forward to guiding and supporting people to show them that they really can do it just like me.” Eugene will spearhead in-person classes in his own area that will support the Vodafone Ireland Foundation Hi Digital platform.
The aim is the same: bridge the huge digital divide in Ireland by supporting more than 230,000 older people to learn basic and essential digital skills. Eugene’s in-person tuition will cover essential topics including using the internet, smartphones, sending emails, keeping in touch with friends and family through social media or video calling, accessing online banking and government services, and shopping and making electronic payments online.
“The beauty of the online course is that it can be completed at home, either independently or with help from friends, family or other people in their community. And it can be done at whatever pace suits. The in-person classes will offer further support and there will be plenty of other Active Retirement Ireland Digital Ambassadors offering similar services around the country.
And you don’t have to be an ARI member to attend these meetings.”