The launch, attended by 75 people, featured a panel of speakers and attendees from local government and community groups in Britain, Ireland and the USA.
Fréa is a Community Interest Company and partnership of three Irish in Britain member organisations: Irish Community Care Manchester; Irish Community Care (based in Liverpool and delivering services in the North West); and Leeds Irish Health & Homes.
Digital inclusion has become critically important and much discussed over the last year. Accessing the internet and using digital devices helps keep friends and families connected and reduces loneliness, particularly during lockdowns. The report offers research and insight into how older Irish people in Britain experience digital access and the realities of digital isolation.
During the event, a series of short testimonial videos from older Irish people were played, in which they discussed learning about technology devices over the last year. Sharon from Leeds, said “Every time I take a Zoom session, no matter who it is with, it is giving me more avenues of life and it is definitely helping me a lot in the long term.”
The report surveyed 100 older Irish people in the north of England and found that while 75 percent had access to a technology device, many continue to encounter barriers in using them. These include anxiety, a lack of understanding and support.
A series of recommendations are made for organisations working to increase digital access and understanding. These include:
Ensure technology devices are fit for purpose and suitable to the skill level of individual users.
Provide continued support and guidance.
Facilitate a comfortable and creative learning environment, particular one–to–one and group settings.
Listen to what community members want to see and take part in.
Encourage users to touch, handle and interact with devices before any learning takes place.
The research was supported by Ireland’s Emigrant Support Programme and Irish Ambassador Adrian O’Neill opened the event. He said that the report was “an important piece of research” with “valuable insight into the growing levels of isolation, disconnection, and digital exclusion experienced by older Irish communities in the North of England during the COVID–19 pandemic.”
He added that “Being digitally connected has become an important way for people to stay in touch with their friends and family, and in many cases to stay connected to their Irish culture and heritage.”
The event included a panel discussion between Kate Daly (the report research lead), Breege McDaid (Director of Irish Community Care) and Mary McKenna, an investor in social enterprises. Mary McKenna said that the report will be essential for policymakers as it highlights the strong desire among older people to improve access to digital technology and maps out ways to better their understanding.
An outcome from the event was an open invitation from 100% Digital Leeds to Irish in Britain members to access their free training for working digitally with people in care homes. Irish in Britain’s Fiona McGeever also provided an update on our pilot project with KOMP–Pro – a communication device created for people who are unfamiliar or unconfident with other digital devices.
Commenting on the report on behalf of Fréa’s Board, Breege McDaid, said “We believe there are clear lessons for policymakers and community groups alike, particularly in terms of allocating resources and time to enable older Irish people in Britain and abroad to feel confident in learning and using technology. People across all ages and in all communities face barriers around digital inclusion and the report’s recommendations equally apply.”
Brian Dalton, CEO of Irish in Britain, said “This report helps us understand the barriers to inclusion at such a significant time for our community. As we build back for recovery our means for staying connected will never be as important. This data will help drive solutions to meet our enduring need for community. We were delighted to showcase this crucial work.”
To obtain a copy of the report, please visit the Fréa website here.