Learners delighted as they complete course

The latest batch of participants are celebrating after completing the ‘Mental Health Concern Newcastle, Service User Tablet Course’ run by Get Online Newcastle, a partnership programme between YHN and Newcastle City Council.

The course, held at the City Library, was designed to suit the needs of some MHC service users who had little or no knowledge about how to access and use the internet.

A total of seven people signed up to the course, with four completing it this week, each receiving a certificate and a SIM enabled tablet. The remaining three will complete it at a later date.

The eight-week course showed each learner how to send and receive emails safely, use the Internet and search engines safely, completing online forms, and how to use YHN, NCC, NHS and InformationNow websites.

The learners also had a range of online accounts set up for them, including NCC ‘My Account’, YHN Online Rent Account, and Online Library Accounts.

Ten MHC Peer Mentors attended each of the sessions to support their customers on the course.

Participants are also encouraged to chat with each other during the breaks, helping them build more confidence in social settings and discuss any potential mental health or general wellbeing concerns.

Lisa Dawson, Digital Inclusion Programme Coordinator, said ‘’Many of our tablet course participants have become socially isolated particularly due to the recent lockdowns and these courses are often the first step on the journey back to a “normal” lifestyle.

“The value of this experience, shared with other people in similar circumstances, cannot be overstated and added to the practical digital skills learned are powerful influences in creating the circumstances for positive changes in the lives of our learners.”

Mary Charlton, 89, took part in the course as she wanted to refresh her memory of typing skills learned from working at The Ministry.

She said: “I’ve learned a lot on the course, it’s been very instructive, everything has been explained to me very carefully and I’ve been given plenty of notes.

“I’ve been interested in computers for a long time but it’s 30 years since I last used one.

“I’ve been typing since I was 16, first on a manual typewriter, then an electric one and then eventually a desktop computer.

“I would 100% recommend this course, it has clarified a lot of things for me. I’ll be able to show my daughters a few things!

“I’ll never be off my new tablet now, I’ll probably take it to bed with me!”

Brian Turner, another who completed the course, said: “I wanted to update my skills and learn how to get online.

“It’s been really, really interesting and good to learn on this course. The staff have been very helpful.

“It refreshed my memory of how computers worked. I’ve recommended this course to a few people, such as those at my pie club.”

Dean Thomson, Community Development Worker, Mental Health Concern, said “We support individuals who struggle with their digital literacy, which in turn negatively impacts upon their mental health as they struggle to access key online resources.

“Participants completing the course and getting to take home a SIM enabled tablet, have left with the practical skills and know how to access online tools to aid in their recovery journey.

“Not only that but participants being involved in face to face group delivery sessions, has allowed them to re-connect with people in their community in an inclusive and empowering setting, which has resulted in all participants seeing an improvement in their mental wellbeing as a direct result of completing the course.”