Why a Tech Expo for Seniors?
Our society is digitally transforming but we’re leaving many of our seniors behind. Digital Seniors is a charity helping seniors aged 65 years and over to understand and use technology. Digital exclusion for seniors is a big issue and we’re a small charity, so how can we help move New Zealand towards real social change to include and empower seniors to navigate technology?
You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘many hands make light work’. Digital Seniors brings collective action to this problem by bringing together communities to help. Our wonderful, kind volunteers provide free one-on-one individualised digital coaching to seniors in our four communities across Aotearoa (Wairarapa, Kāpiti, North Auckland and East Auckland). Seniors can come to any of our hubs for free help with learning how to do the things they want to do using their digital device. This is often life changing, building confidence and empowering people to not just navigate everyday tasks with technology, but to feel confident to try new things.
Our collective kaupapa in communities also brings organisations together for the goal of better digital inclusion. Our expo was a dream Digital Seniors has had for many years and when our CEO Cathy Hardinge brought Chorus, BNZ and Spark together to form a collective of businesses she knew cared about senior customers, she seeded her expo vision, they loved this and hey presto our four organisations started creating this concept. We then brought together a very special group of older adults in Auckland to co-design this expo with. So this expo has been designed by a collective of businesses and of seniors making it very special.
Why is this more than an expo?
This expo is truly something special, the first of its kind in Aotearoa and much more than an expo. Not only are 50 organisations coming together to show seniors and their families their innovations and technologies, to show the amazing possiblities and benefits of technology; this expo is challenging stereotypes around ageing and around what older people are able to do with technology.
We know that today’s seniors have experienced tremendous change in their lifetime and we know that they are extraordinary people who have often lived incredible lives. We know that technology can seem a formidable challenge and taking the first step can take enormous courage. This expo is designed for you. It will showcase the very latest in innovations and technologies that empower older adults, in fact most adults of all years. No more of the seniors getting the hand me downs or knowing last. Seniors will know first with this expo.
This expo is super supportive! In addition to the 50 stalls where people can safely try out the tech and receive one-on-one support, this expo has roaming senior ambassadors helping people, many fun experience zones, a speaker series with super interesting topics, and a demo/workshop zone to learn more. Support is through every aspect of the expo, including how to find support after the expo from Digital Seniors, the organisations, and even specialist not for profit groups.
Our country is ageing, where in ten years we’ll have more seniors over 65 than children under 15 years. All the businesses coming to this expo are keen to adapt to the needs of seniors and make ageing a better experience in our country.
From our very start, Digital Seniors has always brought good people together and the people in this expo are all really lovely people! Let’s look after our seniors and make NZ a great place to grow old in.
If you or your organisation is keen to be part of the collective kaupapa, get in touch. Details below.
