Change-Makers: Digital Buddies

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Shortly after lockdown and facing a summer of cancelled GCSEs, NCS Grad Lucy, decided to get involved in Digital Buddies, a coronavirus response initiative set up by Salford Foundation.

Digital Buddies help the older generation across Salford and Trafford who struggle to use their phone, tablet or computer, to stay connected with friends and family. They provide one-to-one support to help them solve their digital challenges, and help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Lucy was paired with Sue, who needed help with her laptop,and they’ve been having weekly calls ever since!

“Because of coronavirus, a lot of volunteering had to go online and when I heard about Digital Buddies I thought it sounded like such a good idea,” said Lucy. “We would call each other maybe once a week for an hour or so and I would help Sue with anything she was having trouble with, with her technology, so she could stay in contact with other people and use social media and the internet when it is obviously so important during lockdown.”

Digital Buddies is becoming well known for developing long-term, cross-generational friendships, so well known in fact that Lucy and Sue were invited to take part in an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live’s ‘The Emma Barnett Show’ which was guest edited by the Duchess of Cornwall!

During the interview, the pair spoke with passion and enthusiasm about their experiences explaining how the contact and communication has been helpful during this time and how getting to share different experiences of lockdown and learning something new has been valuable for them both.

Lucy said, “I loved having contact with a member of my local community who I would never have spoken to before. It was an amazing opportunity to inspire more people to stay connected in lockdown.

Sue and Lucy explained how important it is to connect to people around you, and to do what you can to make sure everyone has this opportunity.

Lucy added: Just having the skills to use technology to keep in touch with friends and family makes such a difference.”

Digital Buddies has continued throughout the summer and more NCS volunteers have been involved (it counted towards their Keep Doing Good volunteering hours!). And as for Lucy? Well, she says it best: “I would recommend being a digital buddy to anyone no matter how good you are with technology. Just being a friendly voice to talk makes such a difference during these times.”

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHERE YOU ARE?

Wondering how to help vulnerable people in your community? See how Rebekah did it. And if you’ve already taken part in a Keep Doing Good project that you’re proud of, let us know! Tell us all about it here.