Charity Adopt a Grandparent is engaging care home staff and residents in digital training through a partnership with Barclays Digital Eagles.

Barclays Digital Eagles, part of Barclays Bank’s corporate, social responsibility work, has set up a bespoke training page for Adopt a Grandparent volunteers, to ensure they have the  knowledge and skills they need to engage in the programme.

Barclays Digital Eagles’ online training platform Digital Wings includes modules on how to set up a mobile device, how to download an app and how to make a video call across a range of platforms while staying safe online.

Adopt a Grandparent aims to reduce loneliness by connecting community volunteers with care home residents through video calling, messaging, letter writing and face-to-face meetings. Founder Shaleeza Hasham said: “Working in the care sector, I got to see first-hand the impact of social isolation on care home residents and the difficulties in connecting them with loved ones digitally. The sad truth is that some didn’t have anyone they could connect to in that way.”

She added:  “The Digital Eagles platform is giving people the digital skills to be able to engage with Adopt a Grandparent in the most meaningful and safe way, especially for those who want to take part but who may not have the knowledge and skills to use the app and set up video calls, for example.”

Digital Eagles has set up a Digital Champions programme, helping to train individuals who can then impart their digital skills within communities. Adopt a Grandparent is encouraging care home staff to sign up, to help their residents make connections through the programme as well as helping to train family and friends to use digital platforms to communicate more regularly.

Adopt a Grandparent  is also on the lookout for Adopt a Grandparent Community Champion volunteers, who can help spread the positive work of the charity in their local communities. Those interested should email Michelle Husserl at [email protected].