Castle House Sheltered Housing Scheme Website
After a year’s training from the Vauxhall Community Interest Company, 30 residents of Castle House, aged 70-95, have launched their own website www.castlehousedigital.co.uk which they now manage themselves. This digital engagement programme has strengthened internal community links, reconnected residents with families, and developed important external relations that have improved their quality of life. More funding has been obtained and the project is being rolled out across other Lambeth Living schemes. Residents have also advised the Lambeth Sheltered Housing Commissioning Team, worked with website designers to road-test the new Lambeth website, and presented their work to visitors from the Government Digital Service.
As well as a standard computer funded by Lambeth Living, residents have a large touch-screen computer, an iPad, an android tablet, two cameras and two video cameras. There is a strong emphasis on assistive technology –computers have large print keyboards with trackball as well as ordinary mice to help those with arthritis or tremors.
Why we liked this project
Residents have led this project acquiring the knowledge to build, launch and manage their own website as well as purchasing their own laptops, cameras and tablets. The website also now promotes activities to the ‘outside world’. More older people across the borough have been trained and the project is on-going. The training itself provides socialising opportunities as well as the digital learning helping to overcome isolation and loneliness; and residents’ improved confidence has resulted in greater engagement generally e.g. at public meetings.
“We feel so valued & it has all been worthwhile. We can now fund our wi-fi, printer toner, paper etc without having to worry about where the money is coming from. We can also get help with more website & refresher basics training & reach out & set example to other schemes. To be nominated was wonderful but to be a winner is fantastic. It has given the residents at Castle House such a boost & vote of confidence in their commitment & enthusiasm.”
Mary B Killoughery – Sheltered Scheme Manager
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