Nat’s Journey: Empowering Communities Through Digital Skills
Nat, a dedicated Digital Community Builder, has started on an important project to close the digital divide and empower residents with essential digital skills. As part of a city-wide digital initiative, Nat’s journey began with the establishment of a Digi-hub as part of Linden’s weekly coffee morning at City Church, creating a safe space where community members can learn about the digital world in a safe environment.
Agnes and Nat with their co-created poster
Building Connections in Linden
Nat’s personal approach has focused on building genuine connections within the community by regularly attending coffee mornings and other local community events. In March, Nat joined forces with Agnes, another passionate community builder, to introduce the concept of a Digi-hub to the coffee morning group. Taking the time to build trust and rapport, Nat gradually initiated conversations about the digital world. The response was overwhelmingly positive; the residents were eager to learn digital skills and start to explore the endless opportunities of the digital world. Collaboratively, Nat and Agnes planned the first digital drop in, timing it to coincide with the coffee morning. Ten people took part, asking questions about tech and giving the residents a sense of ownership from the very start in what they wanted to learn about.
“I appreciate the flexibility of the drop-ins whether that be sitting in a group or having a more 1-1 approach if I need it”
Tailoring Solutions: Digital Drop-In Sessions
The Digi-hub in Linden has quickly gained momentum, with residents actively engaging in the welcoming and accessible digital sessions. Nat introduced questionnaires to identify specific areas the participants wanted to focus on, tailoring the sessions to their individual needs. Topics such as Apple ID issues, Facebook status updates, FaceTime and using the NHS website became focal points of exploration. With time, an inspiring change occurred; the residents began arriving at the coffee mornings and initiating conversations about digital issues even in Nat’s absence, demonstrating that the Digi-hub has become a safe space for connecting and learning.
Nat helping a member of the Digital-hub
Expanding Horizons: Digital Assistance Across Gloucester
Motivated by the success of the Digi-hub in Linden, Nat has extended her efforts to other areas across Gloucester whilst still supporting Linden. With her knowledge and experience, Nat has begun offering digital assistance in Elmbridge, Longlevens, Matson and Coney Hill. Through surveys, Nat has identified the specific interests and needs of each community, ensuring tailored solutions that cater to their digital journey.
“I feel way more confident share my thoughts and concerns about my phone. I feel safer and more able to do so in that environment”
Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience
Nat’s impact goes beyond digital proficiency; her work is starting to help reduce social isolation. As residents gain digital skills, they find themselves more connected to the community, broadening their horizons and improving their overall well-being. The Digi-hubs are evolving into thriving community spaces, where individuals share their skills, learn from one another, and find a sense of belonging.
Nat’s journey as a Digital Community Builder is an example of how improving a person’s digital experience and developing their digital skills can help build connections, increase awareness on things they are interested in and enable them to access support where needed.
The Digital-hub in progress