Scheme to help older people digitally connect

Stella said she now had "someone to talk to" because of the pilot scheme

A pilot project is working with people to help them improve their digital skills to reduce feelings of social isolation.

Community Connection is a Plymouth Living Lab project which seeks to reduce loneliness in older adults.

Organisers at the University of Plymouth said the idea was to create a "virtual village hall" where people could connect with others who share interests.

A web-based hub connects the volunteers through online art classes, book clubs, cooking and various local activities - and once a month the project helps them meet up socially in person.

Stella, 77, said she loved getting back into painting again with her online art course.

She said: "They taught me how to use a computer, I was pretty illiterate as far computers were concerned, they didn't have them when I was at school.

"I feel now I've got somewhere to go, someone to talk to."

Tracey, 55, said: "It's helped me with my confidence and sociability and helped with the isolation, without them it would be pretty awful."

Kieran Green said the pilot had been helping residents tackle social isolation

Kieran Green, community engagement researcher at University of Plymouth, said the project's vision was to "create a virtual village hall for older people in Plymouth who find it harder to get out than they used to".

"The ambition here is to create an easy and usable space that can be used by someone who is not very good with tech or computers a space that can connect people across the city."

Dr John Downey, from the university is an academic in Digital Transformation, and said socialising was good for older people.

He said: "What utilising digital can do is bring people closer together, using low cost and accessible technology where people can be in their home and still stay connected to society."

The pilot research project runs until December and Plymouth Living Lab said it would continue to operate.