Digital Support Volunteer
Becoming a Digital Support Volunteer
“By 2030, Hammersmith & Fulham will be a more digitally inclusive borough; a place where residents have access to the digital skills devices and support they need to achieve their aspirations”- LB Hammersmith and Fulham Digital Inclusion Strategy 2025-2030
Overview
Citizens Advice Hammersmith and Fulham (CAHF) Digital Skills Trainer Volunteers play a key role in delivering digital inclusivity to the local community. As a member of the digital skills trainer team, you will help members of the community to develop the digital literacy they need to use phones, tablets and computers effectively and to access opportunities and information.
It is good to have experience of using different operating systems (Android, IoS and Windows) but specific technical expertise is not required as most learners are at basic level. You don’t need to be an expert, just able to show people how to use a computer, digital device, or phone. You will use your digital skills to help the community gain confidence in technology, enabling them to use online services, find employment/training, become independent, and reduce digital isolation. You will mainly provide one-to-one support at weekly sessions, though leading small group IT support sessions may also be possible.
You could also, if interested, help us to develop more specialist digital activities,such as running a Code Club, Lego Club for children and adults. There is also the opportunity for you to deliver a digital focused Presentation with our community skills team.
Below is a summary of Digital Support volunteer role
What you will be doing
Many people in our community are at risk of being excluded from opportunities and relationships due to their lack of digital skills. The Digital Support Volunteer plays a vital role in helping members of our community to develop the digital literacy they need to use phones, tablets and computers effectively and to access opportunities and information. You will be part of a team which runs drop-in sessions for local people who want to learn basic digital skills and help to make the most of their smartphones or laptops. A number of Digital Support Volunteers attend the same session and each provides one-to-one support. Sessions are held at Avonmore Library.
What you will gain from the role
You will have the satisfaction of supporting people in the community to build skills and develop self sufficiency in the digital world. You will develop your own skills in teaching, mentoring, coaching and team working and you will learn from the knowledge and experience of the other Digital Skills Trainers. You will develop your own digital skills as we always understand things better when we have to explain them to someone else!
What you will bring to the role
You will bring a friendly and approachable manner and the ability to figure out how best to support people. That means helping them become independent as opposed to doing things for them. Patience, empathy and flexibility are essential as we meet people with different needs and levels of understanding. Experience of teaching or mentoring or coaching would be an advantage but is not essential.
On top of those personal skills, you will need to be confident using basic computing functions such as setting up email addresses, downloading apps and using Microsoft Office or Google Docs. It is good to have experience of using different operating systems (Android, IoS and Windows) but specific technical expertise is not required as most learners are at basic level.
What is the time commitment
We need you for 1 or 2 half-days a week.
What is involved in the recruitment process
If you are shortlisted on the basis of the application form, you will be invited to a face-to-face interview. If you are successful at interview, and we have received two satisfactory references, we will agree your start date and induction as a Digital Support Volunteer.
How to apply
If you can see yourself being one of our Digital Skills volunteers, using your knowledge to support digitally excluded residents of Hammersmith & Fulham, we would love to hear from you. Please apply by completing our Volunteer Application Form. Digital Skills volunteers will be shortlisted and invited to an interview with our libray team.
If you have any questions about the form or anything else, please get in touch on volunteer@cahf.org.uk and we’ll be happy to help. Please note, we do routinely check if applications have been written by AI software, so we encourage you to write in your own words in order to explain to us your motivations.
If this role is not for you, please look at the other roles we have available.
Unfortunately we do not pay travel expenses during the recruitment process. If selected, we pay out of pocket travel expenses for attendance at training, induction and regular volunteering. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We delete all information 12 months after receipt unless you have been successful in recruitment, in which case we gain your permission on what is retained and how it is used. There is further information in the volunteer application form.