Digital Literacy
Currently in Ireland, three in ten older adults are not using the internet. Of those adults who are using the internet almost half of them do not have ‘basic’ digital skills, meaning 62% of adults over 65 are digitally excluded. Age Action wants to build the capacity of older people to engage with technology safely, and we do this through several programmes which you can read more about by navigating through the menu items above – ‘Getting Started’, ‘Digital Literacy MEN’, ‘GS Migrants’ and ‘Videos’.
If you want to see more on our advocacy work on digital inclusion, check out the information hub linked below.
Getting Started
Age Action’s Getting Started is a free digital literacy programme, helping older people to get online, or use their smart device with confidence. Age Action’s Getting Started was the first competency-based digital training for older people in Ireland. It uses the EU’s DigComp framework as the foundation blocks of the curriculum, building the capacity of older people to engage with technology safely.
When you sign up for a Getting Started class, you’ll be matched with a volunteer tutor and meet with them for two hours a week for five weeks, to work on skills you want to develop, at a pace that suits you.
You can fill out the form below to register your interest in taking part in a Getting Started programme and a member of our team will be in touch.
Or you can call us on 0818911109 to find out more about the programme and register your interest.
Testimonial
The course was excellent, the tutor was very helpful and patient and guided me in learning what I needed to know. I was able to fill in a lot of gaps in my knowledge.
Sylvia Caffrey
Kells
Sign up for a class
Become a volunteer tutor
Digital Literacy MEN
Find a cousin you never knew existed half-way around the world. Beat the crowds and buy tickets to your favourite team months in advance.
Designed by men, for men, Age Action’s Digital Literacy MEN takes the things you already love to do, like watching matches, finding a good deal, or just chatting with others, and makes them more accessible with better digital skills.
Digital Literacy MEN is funded by Movember’s ‘Social Connections Challenge’ aimed at helping men living in rural parts of Ireland improve their digital skills and social connections.
When you sign up for Digital Literacy MEN, Age Action will match you with a volunteer for five weeks, and you will meet in a group setting with others doing the course for two hours a week. We have partnered with Men’s Sheds Ireland, so many of the courses will be held in the local Men’s Shed in the area.
The programme consists of 5 lessons and 8 practice activities that are aimed at helping you get online and get confident using your device. The lessons and activities are there to help you learn the basics of digital skills, but this programme is ultimately learner led, so if there are specific things you would like to learn then be sure to let your volunteer know.
We are currently running DL MEN classes in Dublin, Meath and Cork, with plans to expand to more counties in 2025. If you’d like to learn more or sign up for a class, you can call us on 0818 911 109 or email gettingstarted@ageaction.ie
If you would be interested in volunteering on this programme, please email volunteering@ageaction.ie or check out our current opportunities on IVOL.
Register your interest in the DL MEN programme:
Sign up to be a DL MEN volunteer
Getting Started Migrants provides free foundation level digital literacy training to older migrants over five weeks. The training is one-to-one and delivered by community-based volunteers who are interculturally competent and have an interest in supporting learners to get online or use their smart device with confidence. It attracts learners and volunteers from diverse backgrounds and encourages migrant candidates to apply.
Sign up as a learner
Getting Started Computer Training is available at dozens of locations all over Ireland.
Please contact the relevant office for more information of Getting Started Computer Training in your area.