Tech Tales: A CVCOA Tech Volunteer's Story

We recently had a chance to "drop in" on a Tech Help Drop-In session at Montpelier Senior Activity Center (MSAC), where anyone age 60+ can receive free basic tech support Mondays from 4 - 6 p.m.  

One of the Drop-In Tech volunteers, B, shared a bit about how she got involved and the impact that it's had on her life.  B has been active in volunteering since high school, realizing that you get more out of it than you put in, and has volunteered in a number of different roles since moving to Vermont 10 years ago.  She got inspired to become a tech volunteer because she has become the "go-to" tech person in her work as an engineer.  

Folks come to B for tech help and B also feels she gains something in return.  She explained how a client struggling with memory loss has taught her to approach forgetting something as an opportunity to learn something new, rather than as a negative, and this has really helped her.  "I think folks really forget how cool volunteering is," she reflects. B also mentioned how volunteering has allowed her to help older adults in a way she wasn't always able to do with her own family due to the constraints of geography.  

For folks who are interested in becoming Tech Volunteers, B says, "There are a lot of aging folks out there and the amount of help they need is not as intimidating as one may think.  The role is also kind of about companionship, listening to people and being there for people.  Sometimes they just need a chat, sometimes they know what to do but they just need a cheerleader." She explained that you do not have to be a tech expert to volunteer in this capacity, that many questions revolve around how to use or set up a device or application and that it's perfectly understandable to say you don't know and suggest, "Let's look it up."

CVCOA Digital Navigators provide one-on-one support to a matched older adult, and our Tech Drop-in Volunteers offer tech drop-in times at a local senior center.  If you think you might be able to help, contact us at [email protected] to learn more.  

The Tech Help Drop-In at MSAC was started several years ago by Matt Wilson.  Appointments are preferred so that the right support is available.  Email [email protected]