Man says learning digital skills ‘changed my life’

A 63-year-old man who learned how to bank online for the first time said digital skills workshops at his local library “changed my life”.

Stephen Smith is one of tens of thousands of Greater Manchester residents considered digitally excluded, according to the combined authority.

It has been supported in sessions teaching digital skills at Golborne Library, in Wigan, as part of a wider scheme across the region.

“People used to call me a dinosaur because I didn’t have any digital skills, because I was old school,” Smith said.

An estimated 93,000 adults aged 75 and over in Greater Manchester are considered digitally excluded, according to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and a third have never used the internet.

“I learned how to go paperless on my car insurance, I learned how to use powerpoints, send emails and set up direct debits,” Mr Smith said.

“It’s just nice to be in this modern digital world, eventually.”

The scheme in Wigan is one of several in the region where 170 digital champions have been chosen to help those struggling with technology or accessing online services.

Sessions will be held across all 10 boroughs over the next year as part of Greater Manchester’s ‘Live Well’ strategy to reduce isolation and ensure all residents have access to the services they need.

Michael Hurst, another Golborne Library session attendee, said he was helped to print tickets for a rugby match as he does not have a printer.

“The support has been very helpful,” he said.

“I’m really not very smart at all, but now I can do things like email and online banking.”