Possibilities for digital volunteering within the framework of an intergenerational intervention programme linked to the 4th Cycle.
4th Cycle Intergenerational Digital Volunteering Programme
The presence of communication and information technologies in the daily life of the civilian population implies new forms of social, participative and critical relations, which involve everyone's coexistence and in particular that of the adult and elderly population, who need new digital skills. In this social scenario, the University of Santiago de Compostela is committed to ensuring that the digital competences of the entire population are guaranteed through different strategies and programmes.
The strategy for adults and seniors involves the design of an Intergenerational Digital Volunteering Programme for the 4th Cycle between the University Participation and Integration Service and the 4th Cycle University Programme for Older Adults. This initiative stems from the university cohesion to respond to an interconnected world, where media literacy involves the use of mobile phones, tablets and other devices, and is not limited to the simple use of computers to achieve media integration of different population groups.
The 4th Cycle University Programme for Older Adults presents great challenges to respond to the demands of the older adult population in the face of increasingly uniform and global ageing. Responses based on the principles of active ageing, lifelong learning and, in this specific case, on the improvement of the media competence of older people in society, which will have an impact on issues such as improved self-esteem, a higher degree of social participation and improved intergenerational relations.
A programme is being developed for digital collaboration and solidarity between the university's newest students and senior students in order to improve digital skills in conjunction with the University Participation and Integration Department. It is not only a media literacy programme for one group towards another, but also a space for exchange and meeting, where communication and information technologies are elements to overcome barriers such as socio-economic level, age, gender, geographical distance... and to be able to overcome existing divides in the social and even generational structure.
With the implementation of intergenerational programmes such as intergenerational digital volunteering, skills are solved in two directions; on the one hand, those that may arise from access to the medium itself (the USC has an equipment lending service) and, on the other hand, those that refer to inclusion and its full use.
Goals
- Bridging the digital divide as a social commitment of the University itself.
- Improving the quality of use of new technologies and their potential.
- Responding to the needs of older people through volunteering among the newest group.
- Highlighting the value of digital natives' solidarity.
- Encouraging intergenerational learning mentoring.
Tasks
The Intergenerational Digital Volunteering Programme of the 4th Cycle began its first edition in March 2022, with a face-to-face support modality for all 4th Cycle students who wish to improve the use, discover or learn about the different platforms that the University of Santiago de Compostela has at the service of all users. That is why the university's app and mobile phone use of it is one of the first skills to be shared.
We are looking for people who are responsible, dynamic, digitally literate, socioculturally interested and eager to help bridge the digital divide for our seniors at university.
- Timetable: this will be flexible depending on availability in morning or afternoon shifts, but for organisational reasons, the start of this activity will be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. A venue will be established depending on demand.
- Places: 5.