The Smith Family is the largest Australian children’s education charity helping disadvantaged young Australians to succeed at school, so they can create better futures for themselves.
Project location: National
The Smith Family will use the grant to deliver the Digital Access Program (providing 12 months of internet and/or devices, and/or technical support) on an ‘as needs’ basis to up to 130 parents/carers aged over 50 who have children on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, and encourage their use of the Be Connected Topic Library to increase the recipients’ basic digital literacy skills. Delivery of this program may include staff and/or volunteer training on providing digital skills mentoring and the Be Connected program, so that recipients are supported in this program. Additionally, and at no extra cost, all recipients will gain access to The Smith Family’s tech support hotline, specifically providing technical help to disadvantaged families.
As part of the project, The Smith Family will also run a trial of three engagement methodologies (SMS, Email and One-on-One conversations) to communicate directly with their parents/carers aged over 50 years about Be Connected. During the project, up to 500 learners will be registered on the Be Connected learner site as a result of The Smith Family’s project.