Help for Seniors with Online Issues

Help for Seniors with Online Issues

Woodbridge, UK — A new service aimed at enhancing digital literacy and fraud prevention for senior residents in Woodbridge and neighbouring villages will launch on August 18. The Woodbridge Community Tech Hub CIC (CTH) is a community organization dedicated to supporting seniors, regardless of their economic background.

Our team comprises technology-savvy individuals, along with experts from education and business, to provide essential support and education. Our focus is on helping seniors feel more comfortable with their devices and their various applications, including email, banking, NHS services, messaging, and social media.

To facilitate this, we will host taster "drop-in" sessions every Tuesday morning from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Cherry Tree Inn, where residents can receive assistance free of charge. This initiative aims not only to empower our community with digital skills but also to safeguard them against online fraud, ultimately fostering greater digital inclusion.

Following the launch, additional services will be introduced, including quarterly briefings and telephone assistance. A small annual fee is required for access to the services to help cover the costs of the services provided.

This initiative is modelled after a successful scheme launched in Grundisburgh in 2023. Due to numerous requests to extend our services to Woodbridge, we are pleased to propose the establishment of a Community Tech Hub Branch in the area. This new branch will allow us to serve a broader audience without incurring unnecessary overhead costs.

Our organization relies primarily on volunteers, though we do have some basic expenses to consider. We are very grateful for the support of the Woodbridge Town Council, which has agreed to provide a grant to facilitate the launch of this scheme. The branch will be governed by the CTH main board, ensuring consistency and quality in our services.

Quotes from local leaders:

Nigel Phipps, Mayor of Woodbridge, stated, "With daily life forcing us inexorably online whether we like it or not, we all face new challenges. Woodbridge Town Council is therefore very supportive of the Community Tech Hub launching in Woodbridge to support our older citizens with these challenges. I am confident that the Hub will be able to provide significant support."

Paul Finch, Chair and Founder of Community Tech Hub based in Grundisburgh, added, "After three successful years in Grundisburgh, we are thrilled to extend our services to Woodbridge and beyond. I am grateful to see the launch of this hub in Woodbridge, thanks to the support from Woodbridge Town Council."

For further information, please visit our website at Community Tech Hub or contact us at woodbridgehub@communitytechhub.org.