Adult IT Skills Training
According to a government report, “82% of all jobs in the UK list digital skills as a requirement”. Adult IT Skills Training delivered a 12-week IT training course to adults, seniors, asylum seekers, immigrants and refugees. Gaining and enhancing IT skills allows people to access council services that are only accessible online, increase their well-being and improve their job opportunities.
What was your project idea?
A resident of Brandon Estate located in Walworth, Southwark, requested me to deliver Adult IT skills training in Southwark communities to help reduce digital isolation and mental health. The project positively impacted the beneficiaries and worked well alongside other projects offered at the community centre such as a coding club. The club motivates children of adults who attend the Adult IT Skills Training programme to engage positively and learn valuable coding skills, literacy, numeracy and soft skills.
Why did you think your project was important to address health and wellbeing in your community?
Most adults, seniors, asylum seekers, immigrants and refugees are IT illiterate. This creates a digital divide in the community, a division and inequality in access to information and resources, which might lead to mental or physical health. The digital divide is unequal access to digital technology and the internet. Thus, digital access and IT skills are essential to enabling the community to participate fully in our increasingly digital society. Addressing and tackling the digital divide is crucial to help levelling up the community and positively impact people’s mental or physical health.
What's something that's surprised you in this process?
I was really curious to see how well participants responded to the project. Before joining the Adult IT Skills Training course, most residents either had minimal IT Skills or none, and all needed more confidence in using technology devices. Secondly, most residents needed to learn the difference between computer hardware and software. Thirdly, most English language and access to computers or laptops prevented them from improving their IT skills.
For these reasons, many had low self-esteem, health and well-being issues due to being unable to access Southwark Council online services, better job opportunities and other services accessible over the internet. After joining the Adult IT Skills Training course, many residents had increased confidence and became happier because of the knowledge gained through the sessions.
As a consequence, their mental health and well-being improved. Many residents continue attending in-person and online sessions to continue expanding their IT Skills. One of the participants stated that "I am going to use these skills at work" The other one said, "I like coming here to learn", while the other said, "Thank you for teaching us".
What change would you like to see so that more people can be empowered to make decisions on the issues that affect them?
I captured many key changes that the sector and others working in this space could takeway.
Firstly, to enhance the learning of adults, seniors, asylum seekers, immigrants and refugees, the teaching of IT should focus on teamwork and interaction to achieve a more significant outcome.
Secondly, the idea of promoting autonomy: adults, seniors, asylum seekers, immigrants and refugees must be leaders in their learning. For this purpose, content must be designed considering each individual's learning styles, interests and expectations.
Learn more about their work here