Joe’s Digital Support from Citizens Online: saving money and connecting with family

Joe using his tablet

Joe attends weekly digital support sessions with Citizens Online at the Community Centre in Fron. Joe is 90 years old and lives alone in a small village outside of Caernarfon, Gwynedd. His laptop was old and had crashed and he was having trouble with his broadband at home. Our Digital Champion spoke to Joe about his needs and it was decided that a tablet would be easier to navigate. We therefore ordered a new tablet and a data SIM card for him.

Saving Money

As Joe was in receipt of Personal Independence Payment, we checked social tariffs for cheaper broadband deals. We found Joe was eligible to receive BT Essentials, which offered a much cheaper home broadband service than what he already had. He was able to save £15 a month as a result of our Digital Champion supporting him to change his broadband provider.

Joe said “This is fantastic. I can’t believe it.’”

Connecting with Family

Joe is originally from Hungary and many of his family now live in Germany. So, to help him save more money we have organised a WhatsApp group with his family. This meant that instead of spending money on international calls, he can call/video call and message using Wi-Fi connection. Since losing his wife, Joe has become increasingly isolated so having a new WhatsApp group and communication with his wider family has improved Joe’s mental health and independence.

Online Shopping

Next, we supported Joe with online shopping, which has been a positive change in his life. For example, Joe has just ordered a new kettle as his previous one had broken. Having this delivered safely to his door, meant he did not have to travel to Caernarfon/Bangor to buy one.

Overall, our digital support sessions have been great support for Joe and have helped him save money which is incredibly welcome, especially as many other living costs are rising.

Sesiynau Cymorth Digidol Joe gyda Citizens Online: arbed arian, cysylltu â theulu a siopa ar-lein

Mae Joe yn byw mewn pentref bychan tu allan i Gaernarfon, yng Ngwynedd, ar ei ben ei hun ac mae’n 90 oed, ac wedi bod yn dod i sesiynnau hyfforddi yng Nghanolfan y Fron yn wythnosol ers ddiwedd mis Chwefror. Roedd gliniadur Joe wedi malu ac roedd yn cael trafferth gyda’i rwydwaith adref. Ar ôl sgwrs penderfynom mai tabled fuasai gorau i Joe ac fe wnaethom archebu tabled a cherdyn SIM iddo.

Arbed Arian

Gan fod Joe yn derbyn Taliad Annibyniaeth Bersonol, fe wnaethom wirio tariffau cymdeithasol ar gyfer bargeinion band eang rhatach. Gwelsom fod Joe yn gymwys i dderbyn BT Essentials, a oedd yn cynnig gwasanaeth band eang rhatach o lawer yn y cartref na’r hyn oedd ganddo’n barod. Llwyddodd i arbed £15 y mis o ganlyniad i’n Pencampwr Digidol yn ei gefnogi i newid ei ddarparwr band eang. 

Dywedodd Joe

Mae hyn yn wych. Fedrai’m credu’r peth!

Cysylltu gyda’i Deulu

Mae Joe yn hannu o Hwngari ac mae llawer o’i deulu erbyn hyn, yn byw yn yr Almaen. Felly er mwyn helpu iddo arbed llawer mwy o arian rydym wedi trefnu grwp Whats App hefo’i deulu lle gall ffonio/galwad fidio am ddim hefo nhw yn ogystal a gyrru negeseuon. Mae hyn wedi bod yn wych i iechyd meddwl Joe, gan ei fod ar ben ei hyn ers colli ei wraig.

Siopa ar y We

Elfen arall yr ydym wedi bod yn gwneud hefo Joe ydi siopa ar y we. Mae hyn hefyd wedi newid ei fywyd. E.e Mae o newydd archebu tegell newydd gan fod y llall wedi torri ac felly wedi arbed gorfod teithio i Gaernarfon/Bangor i brynnu un.

Ar y cyfan, mae ein sesiynau cymorth digidol wedi bod yn gefnogaeth wych i Joe ac wedi ei helpu i arbed arian sydd i’w groesawu’n fawr, yn enwedig gan fod llawer o gostau byw eraill yn codi.