Crossing the Digital Divide: Lin's story

The start of a digital journey

Lin's digital journey began around nine years ago. Before, she had “no idea” about computers. Her husband used to set up the computer for her to Skype with her family.

He passed away leaving Lin unable to use the device - as she didn’t know how to work it.

Thankfully, a phone call to A1 Community Works, a digital inclusion hub in the National Digital Inclusion Network, changed that.

Learning digital skills with Learn My Way

Lin visited the hub, telling them:

“...If I can’t work this computer, I’m just throwing it out the window because it’s just not me at all!”

The hub taught her how to use it. A staff member at the hub even created a video to help. To develop her digital skills, Lin was introduced to our free digital skills platform, Learn My Way.

Advancing skills with artificial intelligence

Since then, she has expanded her digital skills further through using artificial intelligence (AI). Before, Lin knew nothing about it, but wanted to use AI to write a story for a loved one. She didn’t feel she’d be able to write the story without AI assistance - the task felt “too daunting” on her own.

Without AI, Lin would have talked to her family member about the differences in their childhood's but said: "...those conversations fade."

Creating a story to share with a loved one

With support from A1 Community Works, she created the story and now has something permanent to share. Lin also learnt that while AI is a powerful tool, it does still need human oversight - as it makes mistakes.

She said: 

"I absolutely enjoyed it. The whole process was fascinating and much more accessible than I'd imagined. I'm already considering writing more stories based on my memories. There's something so powerful about being able to capture these experiences in written form..."

Lin added:

"I feel like I've discovered a new way to preserve family history and connect with younger generations. What started as a simple story…has become something much more meaningful - a bridge between past and present, made possible by technology I never thought I'd understand, let alone use.”

During the process, Lin also discovered voice typing in Google Docs, which was new to her. She's keen to use it again as the experience has "opened up possibilites for writing other stories."

Connecting with loved ones independently

Lin can now contact her family online independently, use email and understands how to make sure things like websites are safe. With one of the channels she used to speak to family shutting down, now able to use her digital skills to set up and use similar technology to connect with loved ones.

While she said she’s “still not brilliant at it”, she has enjoyed it.

Lin still comes to the hub for digital support but also to socialise too!