Meet our DIP Volunteers

Meet our DIP Volunteers

Hello, I’m Ipek, I’m originally from Turkey, and I live with my family here in Wandsworth. I am a former academic and independent researcher. Since May 2025 I’ve been a DIP Volunteer with Age UK Wandsworth. I usually volunteer at Library drop-in sessions.

What motivated me to Volunteer with Age UK Wandsworth

I chose the Digital Inclusion Programme because I feel that at any age, people can need help with digital technology, but particularly seniors. I used to help an older friend with their digital skills. I have noticed that initially they were frustrated and a little embarrassed, despite the fact learning a new thing at any age is indeed a struggle. I am very patient and I don’t mind explaining things, so I was able to help them. Having been raised by my grandmother and learned a lot from her, I was interested in communicating with older adults and wanted to be of more help. When I saw that Age UK Wandsworth was looking for Digital Inclusion Volunteers, I was really pleased and ready to sign up.

How we support older people

I believe there is always more to learn, so when I started volunteering with the DIP clients and they could see that I didn’t always know all the answers, I think it helped to show them that they were not alone, and it has given them a sense of our having things in common and increased their confidence in me.

I helped a client to find, download and install an educational app for money management on their digital tablet. This involved explaining what the App was for, taking them through the steps to download it, signing up and into their account. The client was very pleased with this achievement.

Digital Coordinator Helen comments, when she is with our clients Ipek is very patient and shows great interest and empathy, qualities which are key to building clients’ trust and getting the most out of a session with them.

Ipek was hoping to volunteer at more sessions, but this is difficult at present because of her family commitments. When we decided to offer Digital Learning Group sessions recently, we needed to prepare a syllabus or menu of topics that we plan to cover in the sessions. Ipek offered to work on this research task remotely from home during her free time as part of her DIP volunteering contribution. We now have a useful resource document to refer to as we develop our learning resources further.

Giving back feels good

Ipek says she feels happy when she has helped a client and wishes she could attend more DIP sessions, which she plans to do in the future.

She says, this Volunteering role has offered me the opportunity to meet people from many different backgrounds and share our common qualities, and it’s helping me to learn more about British Culture. I feel settled in Wandsworth and would like to continue serving the local community.