When 82-year-old Margaret from Penrith logged on to MyGov for the first time with help from her volunteer Tech Mate, she didn’t just learn how to update her address—she reclaimed a sense of control. "I used to feel like I was falling behind," she said. "Now I can do things myself." Margaret is one of 4,565 older adults across Western Sydney and the Nepean region who have gained digital confidence through the Digital Literacy Foundation since 2015. In a world where banking, healthcare, and family connections increasingly happen online, digital literacy isn’t just convenient—it’s essential for dignity, safety, and inclusion.
The Digital Literacy Foundation has spent nearly three decades bridging the digital divide for marginalized communities, with a growing focus on older adults who are too often left behind. Research from the Australian Digital Inclusion Index shows that older Australians—especially women, those on low incomes, and people with limited formal education—are among the most digitally excluded. Without support, they risk isolation, financial vulnerability, and difficulty accessing vital services. But with a patient volunteer on the other side of the screen, that changes. The Foundation’s Tech Mates program pairs older learners with trained volunteers for one-on-one mentoring, helping them navigate everything from video calls with grandchildren to identifying online scams.
The numbers tell a story of quiet transformation: since 2015, 9,553 mentoring sessions have been delivered to 4,565 individuals. In 2024 alone, 1,251 sessions empowered 265 older adults across the region. Each session is tailored—culturally sensitive, language-appropriate, and paced to the learner’s needs. The impact goes beyond technical skills. Participants report stronger connections to family, greater independence in managing bills and appointments, and a renewed sense of confidence. For many, it’s the first time they’ve felt seen in a digital world that often overlooks them.
The World Health Organization defines healthy ageing as creating environments where people can be and do what they value throughout life. The Digital Literacy Foundation lives this mission by ensuring that age is never a barrier to learning. Their work supports national priorities in digital health, disability inclusion, and community participation—proving that equity isn’t just about access to devices, but to opportunity. As digital demands grow, so does the need for compassionate, person-centered support. The next chapter isn’t about keeping up—it’s about belonging.