Learn with Grandma: a project to close the digital age gap

Closing the gap

As a proud great granny, Valerie is passionate about making the most of time spent with grandchildren (and great grandchildren). Yet this closeness also highlights the increasing divide between generations – something she thinks has been intensified by the digital revolution. In response, Valerie wants to use this wonderful technology to bring generations together. And so, in 2003, she started Learn with Grandma.

Learn with Grandma aims to address problems around intergenerational relationships.

• Changes in family structure mean fewer grandparents look after grandchildren regularly. We should encourage this and create a love of learning with their grandchildren.
• Increase respect across all generations. This can work both ways, with old and young learning from each other.
• Social isolation and loneliness is a growing problem. Technology may cause this, but can also be a source of support. Technology also allows us to share ideas worldwide!

Learn with Grandma

A growing network

In 2014, Valerie discovered the wonders of Facebook, and started sharing her ideas to close the digital age gap. In a very short space of time, Learn with Grandma gained strong support on social media, and has now become an international network – with 18 groups in Africa alone (check out these videos detailing Valerie’s trip to Uganda). Valerie even presented her ideas at the UNESCO Conference in Paris (2016). Bit by bit, Valerie is helping to show the advantages of using technology to enhance intergenerational learning and relationships.

What’s it all about?

Ultimately Learn with Grandma is about sharing inspiring stories about how grandparent-child relationships are working, and how grandparents are both learning from and teaching their grandchildren. Practically, Valerie helps people across the world organise e-learning conferences, seminars, and other events to promote this in an efficient and cost-effective way. It’s cheap and sustainable –people share their knowledge and successes through using the resources and technology they already have. Shared ideas have led to a diversity of projects and events, such as:

• community vegetable gardens, in schools and community spaces worldwide
• sewing groups/workshops in Sierra Leone, to teach girls a skill they can use to make money
• arts events or groups, from music to comedy to community fairs, across England and Wales

Learn with Grandma

Learn with Grandma receives no funding, and what Valerie offers people and communities is not financial (though for some groups, their Learn with Grandma project has even generated some income!). Simply put, she shares her ideas of ways to connect generations, utilising technology as a bridge rather than seeing it as a barrier. Her methods are achievable, sustainable, and provide lasting benefits.