From Anxiety to Confidence: Michael’s Digital Skills Journey
How tailored technology support helped Michael build confidence and independence
For many people living with sight loss, technology can feel overwhelming, particularly when devices and digital communication become a source of stress rather than support.
Our Digital Skills Programme is here to help, providing personalised, one-to-one support tailored around each person’s needs. From learning how to use a smartphone or tablet to accessing digital services and staying connected, we help people build confidence and use technology in ways that make everyday life easier and more independent.
Personalised Support, Practical Solutions
Following a referral, we visited Michael in his home to provide support with managing incoming calls and messages on his phone. Michael had become anxious about using his device and would often panic when it rang. Together, our Tech Coordinator Vicki and Michael explored practical ways to make his phone easier to manage, helping him feel more in control and confident when staying in touch with others.
Michael explained: “I’m just getting involved with organisations; I was a sailor during the war, and there aren’t many of us left. I’m getting all sorts of messages and calls off people that I don’t know, but who I want to know, so I need to know how to keep them all in order.”
The support focused on Michael’s individual goals, helping him organise his calls and messages, understand how his phone could work better for him and reduce the anxiety he felt when using it.
Sight Loss Shropshire’s Tech Coordinator, Vicki, said: “It was a pleasure to support Michael and help him feel more confident using his phone. The most important part of our Digital Skills Programme is taking the time to understand what each person wants to achieve and providing support that is tailored to their individual needs.
For Michael, it was about making his phone feel manageable again, so he could stay connected with the people and organisations that matter to him.”
After the session, Michael shared his thanks:
“Vicki and her assistant did a great job on my phone and helped me to get back in control. I am very grateful for the help, thank you.”
Making Tech Work for You
Digital Skills – Smartphone
Accessible technology can transform everyday life, providing confidence and greater independence.
Michael’s experience highlights the impact of tailored digital support. By taking the time to understand each person’s challenges and providing guidance at their own pace, the Digital Skills Programme helps people with sight loss get more from technology.
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Through free one-to-one support, we can help you build confidence using digital devices and accessibility features, making technology work for you in everyday life and supporting your independence.
This service is funded and supported by Shropshire Council, allowing us to provide personalised digital skills support for people living with sight loss across Shropshire.
For information, contact Sight Loss Shropshire on 07778 956096 or email admin@sightlossshropshire.org.uk.
