The Problem
In the next 10 years the Australian population aged over 65 will double to 23% of the population ! That’s ¼ of the population. And it’s the same trend globally
This demographic knows how to use the internet but they have missed the tablet/Smartphone revolution - the primary platform to successfully communicate now and in the future
Unless we address this significant social issue we will find a quarter of the population suffering from digital exclusion.
Senior Techies want to change that and have inclusion rather than exclusion
Today, 1 in 8 Australians seniors suffer from loneliness. The World Health Organisation projects that in the next 15 years depression will be the number 1 disease in the developed world. One of the key drivers
of depression is loneliness, and communication is one of the best-known antidotes.
Generations have never been more disconnected, the gap between youth and seniors is widening and this in turn limits our ability to connect to one another and really be part of a community
We believe that to be a real community everyone needs to have the opportunity to connect.
We don’t think anyone should be left behind.
Our Solution
Senior Techies works with local schools in running events where youth volunteers train seniors how to use tablets and smartphones in a non- threatening environment, so the seniors can take full advantage of this empowering technology to organise
their lives and communicate more freely with one another and their families wherever they may be in the world.
This is a two-way street: we are building connections across generations with youth sharing their technical skills with seniors, and seniors sharing their life skills with youth.
It Works
Senior Techies has already trained over 60 seniors in the local area on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia.
This is a two-way street: we are building connections across generations with youth sharing their technical skills with seniors, and seniors sharing their life skills with youth.
Even a 6 year old can show a senior how to read her favourite magazine on line ( Vogue !) , like Jake did for Margaret at one of our events
Or Fran and Jim who now know how to skype their grandkids in the UK off their iPad. They now talk to and see each other online every week
Where to from here
Senior Techies want to expand the rollout of the events and run a pilot program in Southern Victoria to demonstrate both the need and benefits of the program, prior to national expansion.
We already have 12 local schools willing to participate and provide students to train seniors. We now require funds to both enhance the program and run the events to successfully complete the pilot program in the next 12 months.
Successful completion of the pilot program will enable Senior Techies to secure further funding to expand the program nationally so that every senior has access to the program and importantly we start rebuilding connections across generations, event by event.
A widespread Australian program then enables us to spread the solution to this problem in other countries around the world. We need to start local to solve a global problem.
We don’t want any senior to be left behind and to enjoy the multiple benefits connecting through technology.
You can track the progress of the campaign!
And of course you can email us at anytime via
[email protected].
Thank you - The Senior Techies team!
