It's never too late to learn

At 81 years old, John Roberts never imagined he'd be using a laptop, checking information online or joining video calls.

After losing his wife of 55 years, John found himself having to navigate a world that had become increasingly digital. Everyday tasks were moving online, but without digital skills or equipment of his own, getting started felt overwhelming.

"When my wife passed away, I was in a very dark place for nearly two years. I knew I needed something to help me move forward, but I didn't know what."

That opportunity came unexpectedly when John contacted SNG to report a repair. During the conversation, he was referred to our support for you service and began a digital inclusion journey that would gradually build his confidence and independence.

Working alongside SNG's support for you and digital inclusion teams, as well as support from partner organisations, John received a laptop and tailored one-to-one support to help him get online.

Building confidence step by step

When his laptop first arrived, it sat unopened for weeks. He didn’t have the confidence to switch it on.

Starting from the basics, John learned how to use email, stay safe online and navigate digital services. Like many people who didn't grow up with technology, he found it challenging at first and often wrote notes to help him remember what he had learned.

Over time, those small steps led to significant progress. John can now:

• Access and use his email independently
• Log into SNG My account
• Check his rent balance online
• Join Microsoft Teams calls
• Take part in online learning sessions

For someone who had never used a computer before, these achievements represent much more than learning new skills.

A milestone worth celebrating

One of John's proudest moments was successfully joining his first Microsoft Teams video call.

"For me, it was better than winning the lottery. If you'd told me two years ago that I'd be doing this, I'd have laughed."

The experience gave him confidence to keep learning and opened up new possibilities for staying connected with others.

One of John's biggest motivations has been finding ways to keep in touch with family members who live across the country.

"When you're on your own, it can be a lonely life. My aim is to keep in better contact with my family. This has given me a way forward."

Looking ahead

John continues to build his skills and is taking part in new digital learning opportunities, proving that it's never too late to try something new.

Reflecting on his journey, he said:

"For the first time in three years, I'm beginning to enjoy a little bit of life again. This has changed my life.

It doesn't matter how old you are. If you're willing to learn and give it a go, you can achieve things you never thought possible. I'm 81 years old and I'm only just starting."

Jackie Wilson, Training and Commissioning Officer in SNG's Employment, Skills and Inclusion team, has supported John throughout his journey.

"We've seen John's confidence grow enormously over the past year. From having no digital experience to accessing online services, joining video calls and taking part in online learning, he's embraced every opportunity to learn something new."

John's story shows how the right support and encouragement can help people build confidence, do more online and stay connected to the people and things that matter most.

Hear from John

In this short video, John shares how digital inclusion support helped him build confidence, learn new skills and become more independent online.