ABOUT US
OVERVIEW
We’re a friendly charity doing good for Aotearoa!
Our charity is governed by a National Board and is led by our CEO, and CoLeads in each community. Our coaches are fun, friendly and knowledgeable volunteers. We currently operate in the Wairarapa, Kāpiti and North Auckland, with expansion into new communities, coming soon.
Our Mission is to bring communities together to help seniors use technology for their well-being and empowerment through coaching and a supportive network.
Our Vision is for Aotearoa’s seniors to enjoy living well and lifelong learning through technology support.
Our history and impact
We are built from Master’s Research and we are trying to inspire collective action to make positive social change, to better look after our seniors.
Digital Seniors was created from research for a Technological Futures Masters Degree, by Cathy Hardinge, our CEO. This researched New Zealand’s senior digital divide with businesses and seniors to determine the barriers, needs, and opportunities.
Our pilot was launched in 2018. We’re currently operating in the Wairarapa and Auckland North Shore, with a view to expand into new communities across Aotearoa, very soon.
Why start in the Wairarapa? Because the Wairarapa has the largest senior population per capita and some of the highest rates of senior social isolation and loneliness. The Wairarapa community also has a wonderful community spirit to help their seniors.
In six months after launch, and as a new unknown brand, we had significantly more impact across the community than other established initiatives.
As at late 2023, we have helped more than 1200 seniors, with 11,000 topics and our volunteers have invested more than 3000 hours to help the Wairarapa & Auckland North communities.
Seniors in New Zealand
Seniors will soon be a quarter of our population.
Yet they are among the most digitally disadvantaged in New Zealand.
Most services, communications, and entertainment are online. However, many seniors cannot participate in these and are becoming more socially excluded.
We find out that technology helps with many common issues for seniors, including loneliness, lack of mobility, and deteriorating health. Many seniors are enjoying the social connections, fun, and conveniences technology brings.
We are here to help our seniors to be digitally included and enjoy the benefit of technology!