Do you need some friendly help with your phone, tablet or laptop? Well Mount Alexander’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG) is here to help!
On Wednesday October 18, 4-5.30pm, Castlemaine Library will be hosting a drop-in session connecting seniors that need a bit of help with the young people that can help them, as part of Get Online Week 2023.
It can be anything from individual support to taking part in some of our fun online activities. The aim of the session is to encourage everyone to try something that may be new or different – and there will be prizes for those who do!
Castlemaine Library Manager, Jess Saunders, says that while the current rate of Australians who are digitally excluded is quite shocking at one in four, this rate is even higher for older people.
“Being digitally included means having access to the internet and the skills and confidence to use it safely. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s how vital this is for staying connected with loved ones, and for our health and wellbeing,” said Jess.
Digital Inclusion Officer for Mount Alexander Shire Council, Lesley Payne, agrees.
“We’re trying to reduce the barriers that seniors often feel around using technology. The young people from YAG are patient and non-judgemental, and hope to encourage everyone to just give something a try!” She adds that as the new season of the successful TV series Old People’s Home for Teenagers kicks off, it’s great to extend the same concept to the library.Come along for a cuppa and afternoon tea, and try one new thing – it may be the start of something big! BYO devices if you can – we will have some to use, too.
This is a free event, run in partnership with Mount Alexander Shire Council and Castlemaine Library for Get Online Week 2023. Bookings are not required; for more information call the Library on 5472 1458.
A free workshop is being offered to LGBTIQA+ people to help them plan for older age.
Facilitated by Justice Connect in partnership with local LGBTIQA+ support groups, the workshop will help people clarify what matters most as they age and help them communicate their wishes and decisions to the people around them.
“Talking about ageing and end of life plans is not easy,” says Belinda Brain from Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s Country LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Program.
“But planning now means you can live the life you want as you age. These are important discussions to have so we got together with the Silver Rainbow Social Club Castlemaine and GLOBE Victoria to provide a safe and supportive space for the rainbow community to do just that.”
The workshop, which takes place this Friday in Castlemaine, references the guide, ‘Preparing for your future: A conversation guide for the LGBTI+ community’, designed to encourage older people to engage with the process of future planning.
Justice Connect will lead participants through the conversation guide, answer questions and facilitate the discussion of ideas together. RSVPs are essential and lunch will be provided.
The workshop takes place on Friday 6 October, 11am – 1.30pm in Castlemaine. To register go to: www.surveymonkey.com/r/your-future-castlemaine. You can contact the CLIP team at Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health if you have any questions – call 5421 1666 or email admin@scchc.org.au.
