ABILITYNET offers IT support to anyone over 55, or those with a disability, in their own home at a time that suits them. The support can cover anything from learning how to use a new application/software, starting to use a computer for the first time or even looking into ways technology can make everyday life easier.
I chose to volunteer with AbilityNet as most of my career has been spent with computers, either answering people’s calls and helping remotely or going to see the issue in person. This role lets me give back and use the abilities I already have to assist people.
I also volunteer for Sandpiper Wildcats as a cardiac responder due to the remote location I live in and am just starting with North East Rider Volunteers – Aberdeen’s local Blood Bike group – providing free transportation services to Grampian Health Services. So, as you can imagine I am kept busy!
READ MORE: Why I Volunteer: Thinking about becoming a mentor? Go for it
All the volunteering I do is to help others who need it. It makes me feel good knowing I am making a difference to people’s lives even in the smallest of ways.
Some of the benefits I receive from volunteering with AbilityNet are the training that I can use either in my everyday life or even when at work, meeting like-minded volunteers and getting to spread the word about this important service.
As I have previous experience of remotely supporting customers within a business environment, I am also doing this for AbilityNet, so if we do not have a volunteer close enough I can either talk the person through the process of fixing an issue/learning new skills or use software to connect to their device and assist that way.
More and more people are now being pushed to use technology who have not necessarily had to before, examples being rural banks closing and the uptake of online banking, or using online shopping instead of going to a supermarket. AbilityNet can give people the assistance or confidence required to take that first step or learn new skills.
We have a wide range of knowledge among the volunteers and this is actively shared within the team. We also go out and talk to groups that may get benefit from utilising the service.
All the people I have so far had the pleasure of going out to assist have been so grateful and wished they knew about the service sooner. They are now spreading the word for us, which speaks volumes about what we are doing and as a team what we can accomplish.
The Scottish team are very lucky to be under the guidance of Chris Grant, who has managed to put together a fabulous team through very hard work and dedication. He received the Digital Volunteer of the Year prize at the Tech4Good awards in London earlier this year.
To find out about volunteering see abilitynet.org.uk/at-home/join-our-volunteers
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