Robby’s story: “Teaching technology through human connection”

One of these generous volunteers is Robby, a senior student at Saint Kentigern College. For the past few months, he has helped at our Virtual Village East technology workshops and also visited residents in our rest home.

During the workshops, Robby helped Virtual Village East members with an array of issues with their smartphones, iPads and computers – one member even bought their printer in so he could fix that!

Robby has always enjoyed IT. He says it’s “a bit of a hobby” and he helps his own grandparents troubleshoot their technology issues. He is planning to study business at University and started volunteering as part of his International Baccalaureate course at Saint Kentigern College. However, once he started, he soon realised how much he enjoyed volunteering and spending time with the members. “They were really lovely people and eager to learn. It was great to see how excited they got when they mastered a new skill – I found it very rewarding.”

Robby said one of the sessions that he will never forget was when he helped an elderly woman who has no family in New Zealand. She was having trouble with her iPad and couldn’t connect with her family around the world. When Robby fixed it, she cried because it was going to make such a difference to the way that she could keep in touch with them.

Robby said that while he was at HBH during the workshops it was clear how special HBH is and he was delighted to be volunteering there. “It is obvious that HBH is a wonderful place – it has a lovely feel to it. There were posters displayed towards the end of the year which showed how high the satisfaction rates were amongst residents, so it wasn’t just me who realised how great it is.”

Barbara, a St Kentigern teach who co-ordinates their volunteers, was delighted with Robby’s volunteering work. “Robby has been able to assist many people with a wide range of technical issues,” she says. “In every case, the visible relief and joy of the residents has been so obvious. Robby is a natural encourager, with a calm and unhurried manner, able to assist people at a pace that they are comfortable with, empowering them to want to learn more.”

Robby also formed friendships with some of the Virtual Village members, particularly with Inge, a lady in her 90’s, who was very grateful that he taught her in such a kind, patient and easy-to-comprehend way.

“To begin with, we had a great chat,” reports Robby. “Then I showed Inge how to flip the camera so that she could use the rear camera, how to share photos to other people and to herself on her iPad, and how to print photos off of her iPad. As always, Inge took notes and was very excited to learn new things! I really enjoyed talking to Inge and helping her on her quest to better use technology.”

At the next technology workshop, Robby was shocked and saddened to find that Inge had passed away a few days beforehand. So, the following week, he attended her funeral. “It was very interesting to hear about her life and see many photos from it. She lived a very full life and was much loved by family and friends. After the ceremony I spoke to her daughter and one of her granddaughters and, to my surprise, they knew who I was and told me how much she loved the visits and learning new things. It was a lovely ceremony and a chance to say goodbye.”

Robby not only exemplifies an excellent St Kentigern student, he’s also the kind of volunteer we love having here at HBH: caring, encouraging, empathetic and patient. Thank you Robby!