Working together to enhance the local community’s technology skills

We spoke with Rachel, The Coalition’s Technology Trainer about her role and what the Tech to Community Connect Team have been up to recently.

Rachel joined the Technology Team in January of this year, her role involves providing 1 to 1 Technology sessions to Tech Members in their homes, at coffee shops, at residential homes or at the Mole Valley Employment Hub.

Rachel spoke with us about what a typical visit with a Tech Member involves. Firstly, Rachel reviews their needs assessment and personalises the training to each Tech Members individual requirements. Then The Coalition will provide a digital tablet or laptop unless the member already has a device. Rachel will then find out if the member has any experience with using technology, and then build from their individual experience.

We tailor the tech training to each individual to suit their needs and experience. Working with them through six sessions to build technology skills and train them to do tasks such as: online food shopping or ordering a prescription through an online pharmacy. We focus on the process of training being relaxed and enjoyable. We approach the training as a team, working together to develop new skills and in Rachel’s words: ‘we are sorting this out together!’. Rachel said how the Tech Members find the process very empowering and improves their independence.

Rachel spoke with us about a Tech Member she has recently trained who started off with little experience of using technology and has now become a technology whiz! Rachel helped this Tech Member with setting up internet access, providing the device and technology training. Rachel said how it meant a lot to the Tech Member and they really benefited from the training and having access to technology and the internet. The member made amazing progress with the training and Rachel said they ‘went from zero experience to a hero!’.

Another area of Rachel’s role is visiting the Mole Valley Employment Hub to provide support and technology training to local members of the community and signing up new Tech Members, to find out more information about the Mole Valley Employment Hub please visit the following link: https://molevalleytogether.co.uk/community/mvhub/

From talking with Rachel one goal is very clear – we work as a team with our members to improve digital inclusion across Surrey.

If you would like to find out more about the Tech to Community Connect project or to sign up as a member please visit the following link: Tech to Community Connect – Surrey Coalition of Disabled People