BSL volunteers bridge the digital divide

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic people in the community already experiencing disadvantage became even more excluded if they had low digital literacy skills. In response, BSL launched an online Digital Literacy Program in January 2021.

Its aim was to bridge the digital divide that placed vulnerable people at risk of greater social and economic exclusion.

The program provides free personalised training and support for people who want to develop their computer skills and increase their chances of employment and personal independence. Volunteer Digital Literacy Trainers work remotely to train, encourage, and support participants to achieve their digital literacy goals in a positive, friendly, and non-judgmental environment. Program graduates learn new practical skills and achieve greater digital confidence. 

Srishti, a Digital Literacy Volunteer who joined the program in October 2022, started training Badriyah over the summer. Badriyah’s digital goals included: wanting to learn functions in Microsoft Word and Excel, navigating Microsoft OneDrive, and learning to set up accounts on job search websites and upload her resume. Srishti and Badriyah met online for 1-2 hours each week, completing five training sessions that focused on Badriyah’s learning goals. The impact the training had on Badriyah was profoundly positive. After finishing her training Badriyah said:

My teacher is amazing! I am happy. It is wonderful, my teacher explained things in a good way. Not too fast, and in a way I could understand. I feel more confident now, and when I go back to work I will now know what to do. She also gave me time to write things down so I can go back over my notes if I forget something. I have 6 daughters and Srishti is the 7th. I am so happy.

The impact of the training went both ways, with Srishti saying:

I am so proud of her! Everything I taught her she learned. She was so welcoming and eager to learn. I have also gained more confidence in using Excel myself through teaching her

The personalised training delivered through the BSL Digital Literacy Program provides a unique opportunity for those wanting to improve their digital skills to be taught and coached in a way that suits their needs and learning styles. Not only do participants learn new skills, but they also gain confidence and greater independence in navigating the digital world. Additionally, as the program is delivered online, participants and trainers are not bound be geographic location. There are currently six Digital Literacy Trainers living interstate, and participants have joined the program from across different metropolitan and regional areas in Victoria. 

To date, 39 participants have successfully graduated from the program. Participants are referred internally through several BSL programs. There are currently 27 Digital Literacy Trainers registered in the program, and we’re always looking for more!

For more information on how you can volunteer or mentor at BSL visit: https://www.bsl.org.au/get-involved/volunteer/