Spilling the Digital Tea in Southmead!

Our community is one of the least digitally connected in the City, which is why offering Techy Tea Party across three locations in Southmead is essential to making sure no-one gets left behind.

TTP is weekly at Greenway Centre and at Southmead Library, and monthly at St Stephen’s Church.

Yesterday at Greenway we loved meeting Peter who wanted help with his phone. He is 83 and now lives alone, and although he worked in graphics he has not grown up with computers.

Peter can work his phone OK but was not sure how to scan QR codes or set up WhatsApp groups. He had googled how to do it but needed guidance understanding the terminology.

He also did not know where to find his photos of the wonderful paintings he produces. Photos are also important to Peter so he can add them to dating apps.

With help from our volunteers Peter is now able to confidently navigate what he needs to do on his phone. We cannot wait to see him again so our volunteers can support him with what is next on his digital to-do list.

A regular visitor we love to see is Stella – she brought her digital to-do list back with her yesterday. She said, “I come every week, I’m a complete idiot! I go two steps forward and one step back. I get help with emails and using my phone, things like managing apps and storage.” We completely disagree with Stella that she is an idiot – she, like many of our visitors, just appreciates being able to take her time to learn alongside our team of patient and knowledgeable volunteers.

Bryan popped-in and said he was, “desperate for help, frustrated with technology – it’s making life painful!”. Our volunteers helped Bryan to use his NHS app and to apply for garden waste collection from the Council.

I think Peter summed it up so nicely when he said, “I didn’t know things like this existed, I saw an ad when coming to Greenway Singers, and Tai-Chi. It’s just really nice to have something like this.”

So do spread the word that we want people to share their techy issues with us – to come and spill the digital tea! And, join us for a real cuppa at Greenway or St Stephen’s Church sessions (there are café’s very close to Southmead Library if you attend the session there).

We want to help to make life a little digitally easier, people can bring their own own devices or use one of ours. Everyone is welcome.

For any questions or queries do contact me, Eve, call: 0117 950 3335, email: evepayne@southmead.org, or pop-in to Greenway Centre.

Times and locations for Techy Tea Party:

· Every Monday, 11am – 12.30pm, Greenway Centre, BS10 5PY

· Every Tuesday, 1pm – 3pm, Southmead Library, BS10 5BQ

· First Wednesday of every month, 10.30am – 11.30am, St Stephens Church, BS10 6DP

All details are also on our What’s On calendar > HERE < do have a browse for our other groups, activities, and classes and come and take part.