Resident’s view A digital learning curve through the pandemic By Lorna Brookes
I’m 63 and have been a whg customer for about 30 years now. I’ve had to shield over the last year, due to the pandemic, as I’ve got a number of health issues. My son lives with me and we had to completely self-isolate for a while. Due to my health problems, I can’t get out and about much anyway but the last 12 months have been really tough. I haven’t been able to do anything or see anyone – it’s made me feel very cut off from everything. I’ve spent most of the time sitting watching the same programmes over and over again on TV, which has been doing my head in and can’t be very good for me. My grandchildren can’t come round like they used to but they have come to the window so I can see them – that cheers me up a bit. I miss sitting outside watching them play in my garden. whg have been very supportive though, phoning me to check I’m doing okay and offering to help with various things. They gave me some advice about my benefits and a hamper at Christmas, which was lovely. Also, I’m not very good with computers – I’ve never bothered with them. But whg have rung me and talked me through lots of things I can do online using my mobile phone, which has been great. They helped me set up an online account with them so I can report repairs and get in touch if I need help with anything. They showed me how to download apps onto my phone, too, like Covid updates and daily news, so I can keep up with what’s going on. I’ve filled out a benefits form online and I keep looking and trying different things I
can do on whg’s customer portal, instead of ringing the contact centre. whg pointed out websites that might be useful for me; ones with information and advice about health issues and the various services available to me. It makes me feel more connected with the rest of the world and it’s also something else to do, rather than just watching TV. whg’s support has been ever so helpful. I feel a lot better than I did before and it’s good to know I’ve got that back-up. Just knowing I can get in touch with people online, and how easy it is, makes me feel less isolated. Now I’ve started, I keep trying to do more things online – it’s about getting to know a
“Just knowing I can get in touch with people online, and how easy it is, makes me feel less isolated” little bit more each time, working out how to do more things, and it seems to get easier every time. I’m interested in learning, picking up new skills now. I think, once lockdown is finally over, this may well open up a whole new world to me. Having seen how it can make such a difference to your life, I think it’s important there’s national support for the kind of work organisations like whg are doing to help people get online. The youngsters have grown up with it all, while older people like me are only just getting used to the digital age – but it’s amazing what’s out there.
HOUSING QUALITY MAGAZINE MAY 2021
39
