49%
of people say the Internet helps them manage and improve their physical and mental health
67%
of people would improve their digital skills if they knew support was available
25%
People with an impairment are 25% less likely to have the skills to access devices and get online by themselves
7%
only 7% of over 70s are likely to have the capability to shop and manage their money online
2.5
People who don’t use internet much save 2.5 times less money than those who do
£421
Manual workers with high digital engagement, earn £421 more per month than less digitally engaged peers in the same roles
Our aim is to improve access to digital and build people’s confidence with technology and their awareness of what is available to them; so they can not only cope, but excel in the digital world.
Focusing on the lonely and isolated, we support the over 50s in Middlesbrough to use digital devices and online services better:
- keeping them connected to friends, family and the wider community
- accessing the many services which are moving online, like GPs and government services
- accessing devices and internet connectivity
- learning new skills
- staying safe online
We have a digital library, cybercafe, YouTube channel and helped create furbdit, a partnership which refurbishes donated devices and distributes them to people in the community.
I have done my first ever online shop and that’s been fantastic. I don’t have to rely on others and can
maintain my independence. I can keep in touch with family, especially my grandchildren in Manchester,
through WhatsApp video calling and I can send and receive photos, which is so lovely. Receiving the
tablet has kept me going, it’s been an absolute lifeline.
Martha
Impact on people’s lives…
Tony was referred to The Hope Foundation by Step Forward Tees Valley to work towards Functional Skills Maths Level 2. He says, “I wanted to improve my skills and confidence to get back to working life! I had a full career and had worked all of my life – personal circumstances changed and I found life spiralling out of my control. Times were hard and often I had thought ‘what’s the point and felt worthless. I started learning whilst still experiencing personal difficulties. Then came COVID which really scuppered my plans.”
Tony
At the beginning of the first lockdown, ABM asked for volunteers to help provide technical support over the phone for older people in the area. Fast forward and they now have 14 volunteers. One of the first to respond was Jeanette Power Jepson who had previously attended Tea and Tech at the Hope Foundation. “Given that Ageing Better Middlesbrough has helped me achieve certain goals, I felt like I wanted to help others who were in my position.
Barbara and Jeanette
Neil heard about the Hope Foundation from Saint John of God. He had to move to Middlesbrough during the covid pandemic and found himself isolated in a new place.
Neil
Thanks to ..
Certifications
