preliminary study: 65+ loneliness and digital exclusion

The feasibility study will result in a concrete model for meeting places that combine social community with digital support - something that can ultimately be rolled out across Gotland.

This is what Gotland City Mission wants to do within the feasibility study:

• Map the needs, obstacles and driving forces of the target group through dialogue, reference groups and collaborations with local actors (pastorate, PRO, Leader Gute, Träffpunkt Hemse, etc.).
• Identify and test possible methods, activities and working methods that can reduce loneliness, strengthen participation and increase digital inclusion.
• Develop a model for meeting places that combine social community and activities with practical digital support – where older people can get help with digital services, practice new skills and make social connections at the same time.
• Gain knowledge and inspiration from other city missions that have successfully worked with similar efforts.

The reason why Gotland City Mission is doing this:

• To help create social meeting places that both break isolation and make it easier to participate in the digital society.
• To give older people the opportunity to feel secure, empowered and involved in both social and digital contexts.
• To contribute to a long-term model that can be scaled to, for example, northern Gotland and thereby reduce ill health, prevent exclusion and strengthen local civil society in line with the Gotland City Mission's mission.