Bremen-Nord: Seniors conquer the digital world-start now!

Bremen-Nord: Seniors conquer the digital world-start now!

Burglesum, Deutschland - Bremen-Nord is on the rise! The district has been an innovative model region for digital participation of older people since 2023. The project, which was launched by Werner Müller, a committed member of the SPD advisory board, has set itself the goal of conveying senior digital skills. In special courses, the participants learn how to use tablets and apps - without complicated technical high jumps.

The initiative has already proven to be successful. Voluntary digital trainers such as Michael Krüger and Manfred Severit presented the concept at an advisory board meeting and thus ensured positive feedback. The numbers speak volumes: After all, 13% of the seniors in the region are "completely offline", while 20% actively use digital media. And that's not all: 40% feel overwhelmed with the technologies and have difficulty integrating them into their everyday life. This shows the enormous need for such projects to reach around 4,300 "digitally excluded" in Burglesum. das-blv.de reports that ...

the courses in detail

The courses include a total of ten appointments, with each session being 90 or 120 minutes. Under guidance of 2 to 3 trainers, work is carried out in small groups with a maximum of six participants. The special thing: There is a lot of emphasis on breaks and repetitions to ensure that all step by step comes along. Many participants bring frustrating experiences from other, paid courses, and the feedback clearly shows that targeted, senior -friendly guidance is essential. Currently there is already a waiting list of 94 people - a real sign for the great need in this age group.

The project is not only geared towards technical training, but also follows a social approach. It should fight loneliness and support the participants in their common success. Many older people report positive experiences, such as a 94-year-old who wants to stay mentally fit and enjoy learning new technologies.

digital inclusion beyond tablets

Another important aspect is access to digital devices. As part of the “Digital Mobil in old age” project, seniors can borrow tablets free of charge for two months to explore the digital options. This low -threshold offer, supported by the Digital Opportunities Foundation, helps older people to reduce fear of contact and familiarize themselves with the Internet and new technologies. Innovative formats such as digital walks are also under discussion in order to promote media literacy and interest in technology. Digital-chanceben.de explains that ...

The positive development of digital participation among older people is also evident in the latest SIM study 2024. This confirms an increase in internet use in the age group over 60, with 87% internet users and particularly remarkable growth among over 80 year olds. However, there is a challenge: the digital skills are often only at a fundamental level and show large differences within the age group. [Forum-seniorenarbeit.de analyzes that…] (https://www.forum-seniorenarbeit.de/2025/06/sim-studie-2025-veroffent-die-digitale-teilhabe-Int-al-z-studie- und-herfreuden/)