Tag: people

The Coombe Hospital takes top prize – 2026 National Digital Awards

Digital Business Ireland, the country’s largest representative body for digital and online businesses, recognised The Coombe Hospital with the National Website of the Year Award at an awards ceremony in Dublin last night.
The 2026 National Digital Awards were held at Pitch Dublin where The Coombe Hospital was crowned alongside other winners and runners-up in front of over 250 attendees from the digital sector. 
The sold-out event recognised the best digital achievements in businesses throughout the country. It consisted of 16 categories featuring the best websites, people, and digital innovations of the year across all sectors. The Coombe, a leading hospital for maternity and women’s healthcare was the winner of the Most Trusted Website of the Year as well as taking home the top prize of National Website of the Year winner, selected from all of the finalists in the website categories.
The event marked the sixth year of the awards, with high quality submissions from more than 300 businesses, people, and organisations from across Ireland.
Digital Business Ireland also presented the Taoiseach with the Digital Changemaker of the Year award, awarded to worthy individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and impact in advancing Ireland’s digital transformation. The organisation’s selection panel selected the Taoiseach in recognition of his personal leadership in advancing Ireland’s AI and digitalisation agenda, the appointment of Ireland’s first Minister of State for AI and the establishment of the National AI Office, and his continued advocacy for innovation to promote economic growth.
2026 saw the highest-ever number of entries for the Best New AI & ML Project Award, which was won by AI solutions provider Galvia AI. Other notable winners included the female education and empowerment charity, The Shona Project, which took home the Progressing Diversity Award, as well as placing as runner up in the Marketing Campaign of the Year category.
This year’s awards were supported by key sponsors including Byrne Wallace Shields, All Human, Core Optimisation, Hibernia Venture Labs, .IE, Truffle Hog, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, Pitch, Rockwood Public Affairs and Strike Digital.
Speaking of the awards, Victor Timon, Chairperson of Digital Business Ireland said: “Over the past six years, the National Digital Awards have witnessed tremendous growth in entry numbers and quality, demonstrating the growing importance of the sector and the ways in which businesses are embracing digital tools to increase efficiency and change. Throughout the judging process, we have been inspired by the dynamism, ingenuity, innovation, and talent of the organisations, businesses, and the people involved. 
I would like to congratulate the winners and runners-up in each of the 16 categories this year, and in particular our Digital Changemaker of the Year Winner, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who’s sustained commitment to positioning the country at the forefront of technological change has been an enormous boon to  Ireland’s digital ecosystem. However, I would also like to offer my sincere thanks to all who entered this year’s awards, and I encourage those who have not been successful this year to take the key learnings on board from this year’s process and get involved once again for the 2027 iteration.”
The sold-out event was held in Pitch Dublin, with MC Anna Daly, the Irish television presenter and former host of TV3’s breakfast show, Ireland AM, as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Digital Business Ireland (DBI) is the voice of the Irish digital commerce sector. Set up in 2019, DBI is comprised of a community of over 8,000 businesses and counts a number of national trade representative bodies, large technology companies and SMEs among its members.
The organisation consists of a wide range of online and digital businesses including retail, hospitality, professional services, travel, technology, transport, education, leisure, agri-business and property.
Digital Business Ireland is a member of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment’ Digital Advisory Forum and the Retail Forum.
SEE THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS HERE
Awards
Winner
Runner Up
National Website of the Year
The Coombe Hospital
GPO Museum
Marketing Campaign of the Year
Musgrave Group Daybreak
The Shona Project
Sustainable Business of the Year
Revolution
Esri Ireland
Best New AI and ML Project
Galvia
Irish Life and Kreoh
Mobile App Excellence Award
Express Merchants
AddJust
Ecommerce Business of the Year
EZ Living Furniture
Hotel&SpaResorts.com
Digital Impact of the Year Award
ALONE
TURN2ME
Next Generation Award (Under-30)
Chris Barrett, RDI Hub
Eve Lawler, Circular Style
Women in Digital Award
Melissa Proxenos, Brightbeam
Kate Colleary, Pembroke Privacy
Progressing Diversity Award
Ellen Conway, The Shona Project
Jennifer Keane, PayGap.ie
Digital Trailblazer of the Year
Brian Hanly, Brightbeam
Kathrin Chambers, Fáilte Ireland
Digital Changemaker OTY
Taoiseach Micheál Martin
Large Business Website of the Year
EZ Living Furniture
Fintua
Most Trusted Website of the Year
The Coombe Hospital
RIP.ie
New Website of the Year
GPO Museum
Activity Time
Medium Business Website of the Year
Expert Ireland
Carraig Donn
Small Business Website
Babogue
Dingle Sea Safari

Gemini Unleashes Limitless Creativity with Nano Banana Image Editing

Gemini image editing just got a major upgrade with Nano Banana, unlocking a world of creative possibilities. With Nano Banana, anyone can turn a single photo into countless new imaginative creations, allowing people to transform, remix, and elevate their images like never before.

Nano Banana introduces an array of advanced features designed to empower every user. These include the ability to keep people or pets consistent across edits, blend multiple photos together, selectively alter parts of an image, and seamlessly apply styles from one object to another- all while maintaining the original photo’s essential details. An enhanced understanding of prompts also ensures that bringing creative visions to life is easier and more intuitive than ever.

Nano Banana democratises image editing, empowering everyone, regardless of design background or technical expertise, to bring their ideas to life by simply typing a prompt and watching it materialise in seconds.

Get creative with Nano Banana and reimagine existing photos as far as your imagination will take you, some exciting trends to get started with are: 

  • Action-Figure Portraits: Transform yourself or your pet into a glossy custom miniature figurine

  • Retro Makeovers: Jump into the 70s,80s, 90s and beyond with everything from new hairstyles to fashion

  • Picture yourself anywhere: Transport yourself to different places, outfits, hairstyles or even decades

  • Career Swaps: Become a chef, pilot, or astronaut in seconds

You can try out Nano Banana now on the Gemini App or on gemini.google and transform your pictures instantly. 

How to Use the Internet to Your Advantage

The internet has certainly changed life as we know it. Although it has very much been around for decades, life is very different today than it has ever been. Many of us love the internet. It has opened up so many doors and given us more opportunities than ever. But at the same time, it’s hard not to see just how it can also bring a lot more negativity into our lives. It’s said that we’re the anxious generation – no doubt somewhat down to our ability to be connected to the internet at all times. And yet, this doesn’t mean that the internet needs to be a hugely negative thing. Love it or hate it, there are always going to be ways that you can use the internet to your advantage.

 

In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at some of the most exciting and empowering ways you can use the internet to your advantage. Regardless of where you stand on the matter, you may just find that there’s a lot of positive that can come out of your relationship with the online space. Let’s take a look.

The Negative Side of the Internet

Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge just why the internet can be considered bad. While not everyone will see it that way, it’s hard to ignore the negative effects it can have on our lives. Spending hours upon hours on smartphones, sitting for eight-plus hours a day in front of a computer, mindlessly scrolling through social media, and more can be the reality for many of us. Without vetting and validating what we’re consuming or actively giving ourselves a break, it can be overwhelming, overstimulating, and harming our health.

Why We Need to be More Positive

With that in mind, we do still need to look to be a lot more positive when it comes to the internet. Not everything is bad. Just like anything in life, there are always two sides to things. With the internet, we can actually look to use it for good. Having so much access and connection can really add a lot of positivity and influence on our lives. But we have to harness it for the good!

9 Ways to Use the Internet for Good

So now we’re going to take a look at exactly what you need to do when you’re looking to turn your relationship with the internet around. Here are nine ideas to get you started.

1. Creating More, Consuming Less

Before we get into some of the ways you can actually improve your life when using the internet, you have to begin by focusing on how you approach it. If you’re only ever consuming content online, it’s going to drain you mentally. Looking to distance yourself from excessive consumption is key. To compensate, you may find looking to create more can really help you to feel more grounded and at peace.

2. Meeting New People

We then also have the idea of meeting new people. They say that the current young generation is lonelier than ever due to the way they’re growing up online. But there is also the option to meet new people and make friends too. As we go through life, our interests tend to change. This can mean that different people come into our lives at different times. But this can be such a beautiful part of life, and the internet can facilitate that.

3. Finding Love

Another way of finding real, authentic human connection here is finding love. The online dating space can get a bit of a bad wrap, but there are still many authentic relationships that have been built online. Finding the love of your life can happen online. Again, it’s all about letting yourself be positive and optimistic about what might get to happen for you.

4. Discovering Entertainment

You can also find entertainment online too. Now, this isn’t referring to any of the short-term creator-based content. Instead, we’re thinking about the various types of entertainment you can turn to. From incredible arthouse films and grassroots music to classic minesweeper games to poetry readings, there’s a lot of niche entertainment to be found online. It’s all about connecting to what interests you the most and going beyond anything social media-based.

5. Researching for Plans

This one seems very simple, but it’s a huge positive in many of our lives. Using the internet for research purposes can be a lot of fun. It’s something that we all do every single day without really realizing it. It helps us to learn things and fill gaps in our knowledge, but it can also be very useful for making plans. Whether booking a restaurant reservation or choosing where to travel to, the internet can help us to make, facilitate, and decide upon the plans we want to make in life.

6. Advancing Your Education

Another thing you can look to do with the internet is learn. Rather than getting caught up in consuming things that are frying your brain, looking to actually learn and develop could be just what you need. Continuously learning will always be a benefit to your life. Not only can it be enjoyable and help you professionally, but it can also allow you to grow and develop as a person.

7. Furthering Your Career

As a step beyond that, there’s also the idea of furthering your career. Because the internet gives us access to new connections and gives us the chance to build a personal brand, it can also help us to get ahead. If you know you want to progress and develop your career, then looking to build up a presence online can really make a difference for you.

8. Starting a Business

Or it could be that you’d really like to start a business. This is something that many of us want to do outside of our careers. Without the internet, it may not even be an option for you. But because of the internet, we have more access than ever to launching something of our own. You can even do it for free! This could really allow you to pursue your dreams too.

9. Make a Difference in the World

Finally, you could also look to use your access to make more of a difference in the world. This could be in the form of giving back to the community, creating something that the world will benefit from, or even launching a nonprofit. Everything you do doesn’t have to involve consumerism. Sometimes, it can just be for the sake of doing good!

What Life is Like on the Good Side of the Internet

Ultimately, there is always going to be a good and a bad side to everything. But having the ability to turn something that could be a negative into a positive will always be there. Of course, you could let yourself go down the rabbit hole of the internet as a drain on your life. But at the same time, you always get to choose it as a positive influence.

From the way you meet people to how you find things to do in life to how you advance as a person to the career you build for yourself, there’s a lot to be gained from having a positive relationship with the internet. But in order for that to happen, you need to make sure that you’re driving it all in the right direction. So it’s time for you to take the wheel and see where it gets you!

How People Analytics Can Revolutionize Your Business’s Human Resource Strategy

The role of human resources (HR) has evolved significantly. No longer confined to administrative tasks, HR is now a strategic partner in driving organizational growth. A key element of this transformation is people analytics—a data-driven approach to managing and optimizing a workforce. By leveraging advanced analytics, companies can uncover valuable insights into employee performance, engagement, and retention. This shift is redefining how businesses approach their most important asset: their people.

Understanding People Analytics

People analytics involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting workforce data to make informed HR decisions. It combines data from various sources, including employee surveys, performance reviews, attendance records, and even communication patterns. As we can see at TalentNeuron, the goal is to identify trends, predict outcomes, and create strategies that align with organizational goals. For example, businesses can use analytics to pinpoint factors contributing to high employee turnover or to forecast workforce needs for future growth. With the right tools and expertise, people analytics empowers HR teams to act proactively rather than reactively.

Enhancing Recruitment and Talent Acquisition

Recruitment is a cornerstone of any successful HR strategy, and people analytics can revolutionize this process. By analyzing historical hiring data and market trends, companies can identify the traits and skills that correlate with high performance in specific roles. Additionally, predictive analytics can assess the likelihood of a candidate’s long-term success within the organization. This ensures that hiring decisions are not only based on intuition but also grounded in data, reducing costs associated with turnover and bad hires. The result is a more efficient and effective recruitment process that aligns with business objectives.

Boosting Employee Engagement and Retention

Employee engagement is a critical driver of productivity and organizational success. People analytics provides HR professionals with tools to measure and enhance engagement levels. By analyzing feedback from employee surveys, performance metrics, and workplace interactions, companies can identify factors that contribute to job satisfaction or dissatisfaction. For instance, analytics might reveal that certain teams struggle with workload balance or lack opportunities for growth. Armed with these insights, HR can implement targeted initiatives to address concerns, fostering a culture of engagement and loyalty.

Optimizing Workforce Performance

One of the most impactful applications of people analytics is in optimizing workforce performance. By tracking performance metrics and identifying patterns, HR teams can recognize high-performing individuals and teams, understand what drives their success, and replicate these strategies across the organization. Furthermore, analytics can pinpoint areas where employees may need additional training or support, ensuring that development programs are tailored to individual and organizational needs. This targeted approach not only boosts performance but also creates a more empowered and capable workforce.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords—they are critical components of a thriving workplace. People analytics can play a vital role in promoting these values by identifying disparities in hiring, promotions, and pay. For example, analytics can highlight if certain groups are underrepresented in leadership roles or if there are unexplained wage gaps. Armed with this information, HR teams can implement data-driven initiatives to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace. Such efforts not only enhance organizational culture but also improve business outcomes, as diverse teams are proven to be more innovative and effective.

Improving Strategic Decision-Making

Incorporating people analytics into HR strategy transforms decision-making from a subjective process into one based on evidence and data. This data-driven approach enables HR leaders to align their strategies with broader business goals. For instance, predictive analytics can forecast workforce needs based on business growth projections, allowing HR to plan recruitment and training efforts accordingly. Additionally, real-time dashboards provide insights into key metrics like employee turnover, enabling HR to act swiftly to address emerging issues. This proactive strategy ensures that HR is a partner in driving organizational success.

Overcoming Challenges in Implementing People Analytics

While the benefits of people analytics are undeniable, implementing such a system is not without challenges. One major hurdle is data privacy and security, as employees are often wary of how their data will be used. To address this, companies must establish clear policies and ensure transparency in their data practices. Another challenge is integrating analytics tools with existing HR systems, which may require significant investment in technology and training. However, by approaching these challenges strategically, businesses can unlock the full potential of people analytics and create a more data-driven HR function.

People analytics is revolutionizing how businesses approach their human resource strategies. By leveraging data to make informed decisions, companies can enhance recruitment, boost engagement, optimize performance, and promote diversity. While challenges exist, the benefits of implementing people analytics far outweigh the costs. As businesses continue to embrace this data-driven approach, they will unlock new levels of efficiency, innovation, and success. For organizations looking to stay competitive in today’s dynamic environment, people analytics is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Why Online Dating Is Ideal for Busy People Looking for Love or Companionship

Whether we like to admit it or not, it seems a vast majority of people have turned into robots who do things automatically because they simply do not have enough time in their lives to stop for a brief moment and just breathe.

It doesn’t matter whether they are dealing with house-related chores, family stuff, business tasks, school, or anything else, the reality is that life has become extremely hectic, forcing us to lead fast-paced lives that are at times difficult to “handle”.

And then, you ask yourself, how are you supposed to find love in these circumstances? But don’t fret! There’s a silver lining after all and it comes in the form of online dating that provides major “relief” even to the busiest workaholics. 

It’s So Time-Effective!

Let’s be frank for a moment! No matter how busy you are, there’s a very high chance that you spend a lot of time online doing whatever. Sometimes it’s work-related, and at times, you’re simply scrolling.

When you are doing nothing important on the web, that is the moment you should focus on online dating. For starters, you can download a dating app, or create a profile on a dating site, and that’s good for now. Once the first step is done, the next one involves exploring these places to see if you see someone who’s a potential love interest.

What’s superb about these tools, and online dating, in general, is the fact that in a relatively short period of time, you can talk to a lot of different people (or at least cast your eyes on their profiles) to see if you’re a match or not.

You do not need to spend hours or days going on various conventional dates, only to conclude that most of the people you talked to have done nothing but waste your time. In the virtual world, everything is simplified when it comes to this, which means much more time-effective.

Time is valuable for everybody, particularly for extremely busy people, so allow yourself to connect with numerous individuals simultaneously to see if they are worth your precious time or not.

Online Dating Offers A Phenomenal Convenience Too!

When you’re flooded with various tasks and obligations, and you’re just in the mood to be a couch potato, the best thing that you can do is to open an app or website and scroll through different profiles.

That’s one of the advantages of online dating. Unlike conventional ones, it provides you with the convenience of connecting with all sorts of people without leaving the comfort of your home. That’s the type of flexibility that busy people appreciate a lot because then they are able to fit their dating into other areas of their lives without feeling emotionally and physically drained.

You Get The Opportunity To Talk To Lots Of People At The Same Time 

Dating when you’re constantly busy can frequently be extremely challenging because you simply do not have enough time, will, and energy to talk to so many people just so you can “single out” someone who’s worth your time.

On the other hand, when you turn to online dating, you get the chance to talk to a lot of different people at once, which is something that isn’t provided with “offline” dating. When you choose traditional dating, you are practically forced to consistently plan things ahead, or spend lots of time traveling to meet them.

In contrast to that, when you utilize dating apps or sites, you can talk to a lot of cool and interesting people without wasting too much time.

You’re In Control

So-called offline dates can oftentimes be very interesting and exciting, but the truth is, they can be very boring and exhausting as well. This normally occurs when you encounter someone who isn’t particularly interesting to you.

And then if you are too nice, you will force yourself to spend hours talking to them just because you do not know how to simply walk away. On the flip side, even if somebody is very interesting and you have many things in common, you sometimes do not have a lot of free time on your hands to talk to them.

However, when these things happen in the virtual world, you do not need to spend an eternity interacting with anyone. If you do not come across like-minded people you can simply leave the chat and tell them that you have an urgent situation.

Since they cannot see you, they won’t be able to tell whether you are lying or not. This may seem harsh a bit, but at times you just need to rely on little white lies to avoid any further inconvenience.

The bottom line as far as this segment is concerned is that you have way more control when you talk to people online. You are the one who gets to decide when they will start and/or stop communicating with others for whatever reason, which cannot easily be pulled off on conventional dates.

You Can Use These Tools Anywhere You Are

People who work a lot, usually go on lots of business trips or are generally oftentimes on the go. When you’re stuck at the airport, or you’re waiting for a business partner to arrive, you can use this time to open your favorite dating app or dating website and talk to others.

This will not only help you kill boredom but who knows, maybe the person you currently talk to lives at the location that you traveled to. Meeting them is going to make your business trip even more enticing.

That’s another convenience that comes with these tools. You can literally employ them wherever you go and, concurrently, get the chance to talk to individuals from different locations, cultures, traditions, and other things. 

Not to mention the fact that there are dating apps that will tell you who is in your vicinity from your potential suitors.

 

It’s safe to say that online dating was designed to make the lives of all of us so much better and simpler, regardless of age, profession, gender, etc. If you want something that’s going to change your love life in a flash, then you know what your next step should be!

Irish Rugby stars unite to promote positive online experiences for young people

International stars from the Men’s and Women’s Irish Rugby Teams have joined forces to promote more positive online experiences among young people.
 
In collaboration with the Vodafone Foundation’s Tozi App, influential Irish rugby players Caelan Doris, Mack Hansen, and Josh van der Flier from the Men’s team, along with Deirbhile Nic a Bháird, Fiona Tuite, and Dorothy Wall from the Women’s team, have created a series of online videos to support young people with their online experiences.

These videos share their personal experiences with digital resilience, emphasise the importance of kindness, and offer valuable advice to their 12-year-old selves.

The Vodafone Foundation Tozi App, developed in partnership with DCU Anti-Bullying Centre and Childline by ISPCC, aims to empower young people to navigate the digital world safely and positively.
 
As prominent sports figures, they have a substantial following on social media and frequently engage with both positive and negative interactions online. They shared their insights on managing the heightened presence of social media and offered advice to young people on handling the varied reactions they encounter.
 
Dorothy Wall, Ireland Women’s player, shared her advice to her 12-year-old self: “Your close people just want to make sure you’re okay. People around you are the most important thing and can lift you up when you’re low, but you need to let them know when you’re feeling down.”

Ireland Men’s Captain, Caelan Doris, highlighted the importance of kindness and how the smallest interaction, good or bad, can have the biggest impact: “It goes back to being kind, whether in person or online. It’s easy to post something negative or nice online, but you don’t always see the impact it might have on that person. So, be mindful and be kind.”

Ireland Women’s player, Fiona Tuite also gave advice to younger people on how to deal with negative comments online. She said: “It’s not the real world. These are anonymous people. Put the phone away. Who cares what they think. They don’t know anything about you your life or what’s going with you. Put the phone away and go talk to real people.”

The Tozi app is available for free download and usage from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
 
Liz Roche, Head of the Vodafone Foundation in Ireland emphasised the importance of the Tozi App in a challenging time for young people online: “With the increase in online activity among young people, the Tozi App provides research-backed resources and learning tools to help young people manage their online presence. Since its launch in 2023, Tozi has made a significant impact, achieving nearly 4,000 downloads. Polls have emerged as the most popular content type on the app, offering bite-sized, quick-reward content that allows users to test their knowledge and opinions while viewing responses from others. We recommend all parents and guardians to encourage their children to download the App if they have a phone. It is free to download and use, and available to everyone, regardless of their network provider.”
 
Tozi is designed to educate, empower, and support young people with a range of engaging features:

  • Cosmos: A rich content library offering stories, tips, and advice on handling common online challenges such as account hacks, ghosting, trolling, grieving, and self-esteem issues.

  • Live Help: Direct access to call or chat with Childline by ISPCC.

  • My Space: A private journaling area featuring a gamified diary and feelings-tracker.

UCD STUDENTS TOKYO BOUND AFTER WINNING NATIONAL TECH & INNOVATION COMPETITION

UCD Commerce students Oisin Mallon and Oisin Walsh have been crowned the 2024 Red Bull Basement National champions and will go on to represent Ireland in the World Finals in Tokyo next month.

After 1,800 applications nationwide, the search for the next generation of Irish innovators came to a head at TUD Grangegorman on Thursday night when finalists presented their ideas to a panel of judges from across the Irish creative, media and tech landscape.

Teams from across the country were represented in the final. Each presented their own business plan, created with the support of AI technology. After much deliberation, University College Dublin pair Oisin Mallon and Oisin Walsh were announced as the winners, nabbing a laptop each from partners AMD, as well as a place at next month’s Red Bull Basement World Finals in Tokyo.

The team presented their plans for StepAhead, which seeks to connect young people with mentors who have recently navigated the same career or educational paths, offering real-world advice to help them make informed, confident decisions.

On their victory, Oisin Mallon (aged 22 from Omeath, Co. Louth) said: “We are delighted to win the Red Bull Basement National Final with StepAhead and represent Ireland on a global stage in Tokyo with our idea.” 

Oisin Walsh (aged 22 from Killarney, Co. Kerry) added: “We are just thrilled to have won the Red Bull Basement National Final. We can’t wait to bring our idea to the global stage in Tokyo. Seeing an idea of ours come to life is an amazing feeling and I’m excited to see where it takes us.”

The next step for the dynamic duo is Tokyo, with over 40 countries set to compete at the World Finals. Across Monday December 2nd, and Thursday December 5th, they will attend workshops, dedicated AI educational sessions, and have the chance to network with international entrepreneurs and business leaders, before they go up against their peers for the World title.

The grand prize for the global winner? A three week accelerator programme, all expenses paid, to Silicon Valley and Los Angeles in 2025, where they will receive hands-on experience, mentorship and opportunities to connect with top industry leaders, including insights from Red Bull Basement global partners Microsoft.

From isolation to connection: Cork couple stars in online video series about digital skills for older people

Patrick and Liz Downes, a couple from Mitchelstown in Cork, are featured in a new online video as part of the Consumer Technology Association’s ‘The Human Component’ series. The video showcases their journey with the Hi Digital programme in partnership with the Irish Girl Guides, Vodafone Foundation, and ALONE.

The video follows 76-year-old Patrick, who rediscovered his passion for woodworking by embracing the digital world through the Hi Digital programme. With the support of his wife Liz, an Irish Girl Guides Leader and Hi Digital Champion, and the local IGG Unit, Patrick learns to use the internet to find woodworking tools and stay connected with his granddaughter.

Initially feeling disconnected and uninterested in modern technology after his multiple sclerosis diagnosis, Patrick’s life underwent a transformative change with the introduction of the Hi Digital programme. His resilience shines as he navigates the digital world, guided by Liz and the local Irish Girl Guides. To watch the video, click here.

Since 2023, Vodafone Foundation has partnered with the Irish Girl Guides to roll out the Hi Digital programme across Ireland. This initiative aims to help older adults, and above, feel comfortable with digital usage and skills, thereby combating isolation and loneliness.

IGG has provided Hi Digital classes in 25 of their units around Ireland and has trained over 2000 older adults. IGG Guides, Senior Branch members, and Leaders participate in this mutually beneficial programme by tutoring older community members. The course is divided into short lessons, teaching participants how to access the internet, use smartphones, stay safe online, and identify and avoid scams and fraud.

Liz Downes, Irish Girl Guides Leader, talking about her involvement with Hi Digital, said: “It’s about more than just teaching digital skills, it’s about fostering connections and breaking down barriers that can leave older generations feeling isolated. Through Hi Digital, we’re building bridges between generations and creating a sense of belonging for everyone.”

Jenny Gannon, Irish Girl Guides Programme and Training Commissioner, adds: “Today’s world is one dominated by tech and it is important that we learn to support each other to navigate the challenges that brings for all generations. This programme allows our young people to help older members of their community to learn how to use different aspects of their devices, while our younger members have also learned new skills while working on Hi Digital. This programme offers real opportunities for intergenerational learning and has been a hugely positive experience for all involved.”

Judy Collins, Vodafone Retail Advisor in Oliver Plunket Street, said: “I am delighted to see this video come to life, showcasing the fantastic impact the Hi Digital initiative has on the older generation. It’s heart-warming to witness stories like Patrick and Liz’s and see first-hand how Hi Digital is empowering older people with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world, reclaim their passions and stay connected with loved ones. We are thrilled to be able to provide this support”.

Explore the full series here: www.thehumancomponent.org

For more information about Hi Digital, visit: Welcome to Hi Digital

Age Friendly Ireland Convention Addresses Technological Challenges Faced by Older People

Up to 200 older people from across Ireland have gathered in Kilkenny for the Age Friendly Ireland National Older People’s Councils (OPC) Convention, addressing the pressing issue of the technology gap experienced by older demographics. The national annual convention at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel — held today and tomorrow (9 May and 10 May) — will tackle concerns surrounding online banking, a cashless society, and automated customer service helplines; offering potential solutions to bridge this divide.

The event, attended by Minister Mary Butler, TD, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People at the Department of Health, the Older People’s Councils and 31 local authority representatives, will feature discussions from panel speakers including;

  • Áine Flynn, Director of the Decision Support Service and Mark Harrington, National Manager, Healthy Age Friendly Homes.
  • Garret Doocey, Assistant Secretary from the Department of Transport with responsibility for Land Transport, Investment and Public Transport Policy will be discussing transport supports such as the travel assistance scheme, JAM card, Wayfinding centre and accessibility improvements to bus shelters, buses, age-friendly car parking and Age Friendly train stations.
  • Philip Hogan, CEO of Cliffrun Media, a Dublin-based technology company specialising in technology solutions for older individuals such as the ACORN Age-Friendly Smart Tablet, will be demonstrating technology that supports ageing.
  • Diarmuid Angland, a Department of Finance specialist, who is leading the development of a National Payments Strategy, will outline the meaning of digital inclusion and the implications of a cashless society.

The convention will include seven workshops, panel discussions and the opportunity to network and share learnings.

Hosted by the Kilkenny Age Friendly Programme and Kilkenny County Council in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland in Meath County Council, this year’s theme, Ageing with Independence, underscores Age Friendly Ireland’s commitment to building environments conducive to the well-being of older adults. There are approximately 806,300* people aged 65 and over living in Ireland.

Speaking at the convention, Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive of Meath County Council and host to Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service said: “This is the only conference of its type in Ireland that harnesses the collective voice of older people and brings that wisdom directly into local government, and to the multiple stakeholders involved in the Age Friendly strategic response to demographic change. There is a huge value for local government officials having this direct connection to the citizen voice.”

Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer of the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service emphasised the vital role of open dialogue among older individuals, local authorities, and the Government. She said: “Older people are not a homogenous group, and it is essential that we hear from the collective voice so that older people themselves can co-design solutions to challenges. Over the past 15 years, they have done exactly that — and thousands of innovative initiatives have been implemented based on their recommendations. That’s the core principle that underpins everything we do in Age Friendly Ireland and the key reason why we hold this annual convention”.

Ms McGuigan added that there are technological solutions to support independence as we age such as telecare which includes personal alarms, pendants/watches with 24-hour monitoring and smart home packages.

Speaking on behalf of the Older People’s Councils, Ita Healy, Chair of the National Network of Older People’s Councils said: “New policies are forthcoming that will tackle some of our concerns, including the National Payments Strategy, which aims to resolve the issue of services not accepting cash payments. Support for choice in payment is widespread.

“Safeguarding is an issue when payments can only be made online and older people must rely on neighbours, friends and family members to make their payments and access their personal information. At the recent NGO forum meeting, the safeguarding element was flagged especially for domestic abuse victims as cash is often essential for them to get away from their situation. People in all walks of life need the choice to use cash when and where they want to”.

Hosted in Kilkenny for the first time in its 15-year history, Lar Power, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council said: “We are delighted to host this year’s National Older People’s Convention in Kilkenny, there is immense work being done by the Kilkenny Older People’s Council to further the mission of making Ireland a great place to grow old. I would encourage anyone who wants to have their voice heard to join their Older People’s Council. It’s an opportunity to engage with your local authority and to remind them about agreed programmes of work.”

Anne Marie Shortall, Age Friendly Kilkenny Programme Manager added: “In Kilkenny, we strive to make our county a place where older people are valued for their wisdom, experience and contributions to an inclusive society and community. Our programme is ambitious but so too is the need to change how we think about ageing and how we collaborate to deliver improvements in supports and services for older people. This annual gathering provides an opportunity for the national shared service to collaborate on how best to broach this change.”

Convention attendees called for older people to join their local Older People’s Council to ensure their voice is part of the conversation as the population ages. For more information on Age Friendly Ireland visit agefriendlyireland.ie.