Interview with Dora, a Digital Champion helping residents with their digital skills

Dora is a Walthamstow resident and one of our Digital Champions. She volunteers at Walthamstow Library at the ‘Let’s Get Digital’ drop-in sessions, and supports residents by helping them with their devices, getting online, and other basic digital skills. We spoke to Dora for Volunteers’ Week, which takes place Monday 3 June to Sunday 9 June, to celebrate the achievements our volunteers make to their local community. 

How did you find out about the role?

Dora: I found out about it on the council’s twitter account, and I thought it would be a nice thing to do with my spare time.

Is there a breakthrough moment you’ve had helping a resident? 

Dora: I think in general people come in because they are lacking in confidence, actually when you work through with them, they do know what to do and its actually rewarding building people’s confidence and so that they feel when they leave the session, they can do that at home and that’s really rewarding.

What benefits you have got from being a Digital Champion volunteer?

Dora: It’s been nice meeting new people, I think sometimes life can get into a bit of a rut and you do the same thing and see the same people and it’s nice to meet people I wouldn’t usually meet, and it feels good to help people as well.

What would you say to someone looking for a new volunteering opportunity?

Dora: Definitely do it, I know it can feel quiet daunting, helping other people especially if you don’t feel like you’re an expert yourself , but people are just so grateful for any help you can give them and also you won’t be alone, there are other volunteers there as well, so you can always lean on the other Digital Champions if you need any help yourself.

Everyone has been really nice so far and I would definitely recommend anyone who’s thinking about it to do it.

Want to become a Digital Champion like Dora? We are particularly looking for volunteers for Leytonstone Library.