In an increasingly digital world, being able to use technology confidently and safely is no longer a luxury - it is essential for staying connected, independent, and informed.

At Age Connects Morgannwg (ACM), we see every day how digital skills can make a real difference to the lives of older people. In an increasingly digital world, being able to use technology confidently is no longer a luxury - it is essential for staying connected, independent, and informed.

Yet many older people across our communities are digitally excluded, not through lack of interest, but because they have not had the opportunity, access, or support to build confidence online. Supporting digital inclusion through our EngAGE project is central to ACM’s mission of improving the lives of older people.

Reducing Isolation and Strengthening Connections

Loneliness and social isolation remain significant challenges for many older people. Digital skills can help bridge this gap by opening up new ways to stay in touch with family, friends, and local communities.

Through simple tools such as video calls, messaging apps, and social media, older people can maintain relationships even when mobility issues, health conditions, or distance make face‑to‑face contact difficult. For many of the people we support at ACM, learning to use a smartphone or tablet has helped them reconnect with loved ones and feel part of the world again.

Improving Access to Essential Services

More and more essential services are now delivered online. This includes:

• Booking GP and hospital appointments
• Ordering repeat prescriptions
• Managing benefits, pensions, and housing
• Banking and paying bills
• Accessing council, health, and voluntary sector services

Without digital skills, older people risk being excluded from services they rely on. At ACM, we support older people to build the confidence they need to navigate these systems, helping them remain in control of their own lives and make informed choices.

Supporting Independence and Confidence

Digital skills play an important role in helping older people live independently for longer. Everyday tasks such as online shopping, setting reminders, using maps, or accessing information can make daily life easier and safer.

Learning new skills also builds confidence and self‑esteem. Many older people tell us they feel technology is “not for them.” With patient, friendly support, they often discover that they are far more capable than they first believed.

Staying Safe Online

Older people are disproportionately targeted by online scams and fraud. Building digital skills is not just about learning how to use technology — it is also about learning how to use it safely.

At ACM, we help older people recognise suspicious emails, texts, and websites, understand online privacy, and know where to go for help if something does not feel right. This knowledge empowers people to protect themselves and reduces fear around using the internet.

Enhancing Health and Wellbeing

Digital technology can support both physical and mental wellbeing. From online exercise and wellbeing sessions to accessing trusted health information and peer support, digital skills open the door to healthier ageing.

For older people living with long‑term conditions, being digitally confident can make it easier to communicate with health professionals, manage appointments, and stay informed about their care.

Promoting Equality and Inclusion

Digital exclusion often overlaps with other challenges such as low income, disability, caring responsibilities, or rural isolation. Supporting digital skills is a key part of tackling inequality and ensuring that older people are not left behind as services and society continue to move online.

ACM is committed to inclusive, accessible support that recognises everyone learns at their own pace and that technology should work for people - not the other way around.

The Importance of Local, Trusted Support

We know that confidence grows best in welcoming, supportive environments. Through local initiatives such as Digi Cafes, community sessions, and one‑to‑one support, ACM provides safe spaces where older people can ask questions, learn at a comfortable pace, and build skills alongside others.

Our approach is friendly, practical, and rooted in trust - because digital inclusion is about people, not just devices.

Looking Ahead

For Age Connects Morgannwg, building digital skills is an essential part of supporting older people to live well, stay connected, and remain independent.

By investing in digital inclusion today, we help create communities where older people feel confident, empowered, and able to access the services and opportunities they need in an increasingly digital world.

Digital skills are not about keeping up with technology - they are about keeping up with life. Find out more on our EngAGE page.