It's no secret many elderly find new technology can be baffling.
So a tech-savvy actor has set up a special project to guide people through the mysteries of Zoom, WhatsApp and social media.
The scheme, Tek Eagles, teaches elderly members of the Pakistani community how to use their smartphones.
The project, which is run by the non-profit Alchemy arts, was set up by movie star Adil Mohammed Javed in 2019.
“We did a project called digital engagement where we used laptops and iPads and I just found that a bit tricky for the elderly community because it meant they were doing a lot more of saving passwords and accessing emails and accessing things other things, so I wanted it to teach them something simpler”, Mr Javed said.
“So I thought it would be a good idea to set up a project that improves their digital literacy and support them on how to use their smartphones to the best of its ability”, he added.
After searching for a community centre to base the lessons in he came across the Jinnah Day Care Centre in Bury.
At first the manager, Imtiaz Hussain, was worried his members would not be warm to the idea.
“I said to Mr Hussain, ‘look, I've got this project that I’d like to deliver with your community’ and he goes, ‘Why don't you come over and speak to them? Because I don't think there's that much interest in it’. So I came over and to my surprise, everyone pulled out two smartphones”, he said.
“People had a lot of smartphones, but they had issues around social media. They wanted to know how to take pictures and other things”, he said.
The project is now a huge success, with many classes held in and around Greater Manchester including Bury, Oldham and Salford.
Even Mr Hussain has finally learnt how to use his smartphone.
“I had given up learning about mobile telephone technology. My wife had left me a mobile phone before she travelled abroad to look after her mother. I avoided even touching it at first”, he said.
“Before long I was using Skype to visually see my wife and her mother, and they could see me. It was like something out of Star Trek that we used to watch in the 70’s”, he said.
He added: “The greatest thing which happened to me was the birth of my first grandson on Christmas Day. I was sending messages and videos to all parts of the world through my mobile phone”, Mr Hussain said.
In addition to founding Alchemy Arts Mr Javed is a successful actor and screenwriter, featuring in BAFTA-award winning films such as Britz and Four Lions.
With Tek Eagles, Mr Javed says it was important for him to reach out specifically to the Pakistani community.
"It's essential because these are my people. I'm fortunate enough to be able to speak Punjabi fluently. So I have access to their needs. When you have access to the needs of this community, you can't just sit there and let things go on.", he explained.
“For the Pakistani community, it's essential that we have an outlet for them. And the Jinnah Day Centre is the beacon in terms of committing to their community in Greater Manchester”, he said.
Ishrat Arra, who started off volunteering at the centre over 15 years ago, says the project was important for the elderly members, especially during the pandemic where visiting was restricted.
“During was COVID it was essential because the centre was closed for about three and a half months. But I was getting phone calls saying, ‘how can I do this? How can I do that?’ And the fact that they learned how to FaceTime and do WhatsApp calls, it was so helpful”, she said.
“It was essential, especially with the restrictions where the elderly couldn't meet the young and their families. The people that were isolated at home so they really needed this course.”
Mr Javed added: “When the elderly learn these things, it increases their independence and reduces their social isolation”, he said.
“It’s really important to target this community that almost looks as if they have been left behind.”
To find out more about Tek Eagles, click here.
