Young Mentors Program at Margaret River Library a Success

Pictured: (L to R) Amber Roberts, Julie St Clair-Bakers, Emma Morris

Over the past four weeks the Shire’s Margaret River Library hosted an innovative, intergenerational program to improve the digital skills of seniors in our community.  

The Young Mentors Program connected year nine and 10 high school students with seniors who were looking to sharpen their digital skills on smartphones, tablets and laptops.

The program was developed by the eSafety Commissioner and Be Connected, and was coordinated locally by the Margaret River Library who partnered with Margaret River Senior High School and the University of the Third Age (U3A) to deliver the intergenerational initiative. 

Through the program, young people had the chance to build their confidence and develop their leadership and communication skills. Having received full training before commencing the program, Young Mentors developed teaching plans, and even homework for their senior mentees.

Participant Julie St Clair-Bakers complimented the Margaret River Senior High School Students for the energy they brought to the well-attended sessions, as well as their listening skills.

Margaret River Senior High School’s Senior School Engagement Program Coordinator Susan Buckland agreed that the program had delivered positive outcomes all round, and said the intergenerational aspect had benefits beyond the digital skills being shared. 

The Shire’s eServices Librarian Ana Brawls said the success of the program meant the program was likely to run again next year and extended to other community members and groups.

Find out more about the Shire's libraries.