Cellular connections: how a small interaction can make a big difference

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NLC's committed summer intern Tahnee has been helping us deliver our core projects over the last week. Read her blog about her experience at our mobile phone learning workshop, and what she feels people gain from it.

BY TAHNEE STACEY

Studying International Relations and Global Development at University, this summer I was looking to do some volunteering that would help me really get to grips with the importance of community. North London Cares felt like the perfect opportunity to learn about that.

So far, I've found my experience fun and interesting. It has not only helped me with aspects of my degree and future career; it's also opened my mind and given me confidence to do similar things in the future.

One of the volunteer sessions I attended during my first week with NLC was the mobile phone workshop, where volunteers helped local older people to learn to use their mobile phones.

This session had several benefits to the older people we met. The interaction with the younger volunteers was definitely one of them. Specifically, it was clear they felt less isolated as a result of their learning, as mobile phone communications now form a major part of modern life.

But what enthused me is that there were many benefits for us volunteers too. We were able to gain confidence teaching the older people something that may be second nature to us, but that will help improve their lives. This gave us volunteers that sense of ‘giving back', and being able to make a difference.

As volunteers we also learned something that seems so small, such as sending a text, can have a big impact on the older people’s lives. It is important to contact friends and family to stay active and social. Furthermore, being able to use a mobile phone makes us all feel safe and connected: there is the peace of mind that help is only a text or call away.

Importantly, both the older people and volunteers had a good time. We were able to make friendships and amongst the teaching and learning we had a few jokes and connected with each other.

Both myself and the other volunteers at this session seemed to be open minded and ambitious people. We talked about why we enjoyed coming to the session and that we would definitely come again. The session gave us a sense of purpose, confidence and a sense of giving back.

I'm going into my second week with NLC now - and of the 6 or 7 events I've been the mobile phone workshop was one of the most valuable I've attended so far. The people I met seemed to like the fresh ideas of North London Cares, and really appreciated our help.

And it's not ending here -- I discovered that some of the older people we worked with last week would like to learn computer skills for communication through Skype or email. Many of our neighbours have family in other countries, and this will help them stay in touch from those outside their own local areas.