03.11.2017 eaea grundtvig award 2017

Supporting communities to promote digital inclusion of the elderly

EAEA GRUNDTVIG AWARD 2017. The Bridging the Digital Divide found new methods of engagement in digital inclusion.

Launched in 2015, the aim of Bridging the Digital Divide is to test new methods of engagement in digital inclusion and new software designed to engage new learners, particularly those who would be very unlikely to go online without significant help.

Piloted with two groups of social housing tenants – a group of older people with health issues living in sheltered accommodation, and a group of people living with dementia in supported housing – the project used the “Breezie” tablets. Breezie is a service using Samsung tablets with special software aimed at older people that removes the clutter, jargon and confusion from the internet.

Overcoming the lack of motivation

By tailoring the course to the interests of the people involved, and by using a learner-centred approach, Supporting Communities addressed one of the major barriers to learning, which is the lack of motivation or perceived relevance, and succeeded in engaging older people with new technologies. Indeed, the project did aim to teach all of the identified basic digital skills required to safely use the internet and access the benefits it can provide, but in a more flexible way than traditional computer skills courses.

Thanks to this project, results were made in terms of digital inclusion. In addition, participants acquired a sense of connectedness to others and improved their wellbeing. More broadly, there has been a knock-on positive effect on other residents, who did not directly take part in the project but became more interested in digital skills and accessing the internet.

Supporting Communities also implemented key recommendations from the project to support digital inclusion.

The project: Bridging the Digital Divide
  • Award category: National projects (United Kingdom)
  • Learner target group: People with low digital skills
  • Innovative practice: Tailoring the course to the interests of the people involved

Project coordinator

  • Organisation: Supporting Communities
  • Contact: Healy King

Resources

The article series shares good practices on engaging new learners by introducing the nominees of the EAEA Grundtvig Award 2017.

Text: EAEAPhotos: Bridging the Digital Divide

News

More news >
19.05.2025 activism

No one left behind: community, Bildung, and the future of just transitions

The Just4All Consortium gathered in Stockholm for its third partner meeting – the final before the closing event that will take place in Brussels on September 24th-25th, with a key focus being how to prevent stagnation by actively applying the insights and lessons the project has proved so far.

15.05.2025 digital literacy

Artificial Intelligence and education: Ethics and legal aspects 

From Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools that personalise learning to systems that automate administrative tasks, digital technologies are becoming deeply embedded in classrooms, universities, and lifelong learning environments. But alongside the benefits come complex questions about transparency, fairness, and the rights of learners. 

07.05.2025 twin transition

Building agency of adult educators in advocating for the Twin Transition: ALE4TT training

From May 5–7, 2025, EAEA, in cooperation with SVEB and ICAE, organised a training titled “Making the Case for Adult Learning and Twin Transitions: From the EU to Local Perspectives.” The training was held as part of the ALE4TT (Adult Learning and Education for the Twin Transition) project, co-funded by Movetia. Over three days, the training brought together 15 ALE educators eager to learn more about the twin transition and how to advocate for it.