Benidorm launches an office to assist the elderly with digital procedures

As new technologies increasingly penetrate citizens' daily lives, a growing catalogue of procedures and interactions with the Administration through applications and websites has emerged. This practice, which was especially accentuated during and after the pandemic, is theoretically meant to facilitate matters. However, it also carries the risk of excluding a significant portion of the population affected by the so-called 'digital divide', for whom handling such solutions poses more problems than solutions.

With this segment of the population in mind, especially the elderly, Benidorm has launched the Office of Senior Assistance for Digital Procedures. Located in the Maravall administrative extension, it will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 12:00, as informed by the mayor, Toni Pérez.

This service is part of the 'Benidorm TIC' project, aimed at "combating the digital divide", where "qualified personnel will advise the elderly in our municipality who require it on how to carry out online administrative procedures, renew documents, request public services, among others, using digital certificates, electronic ID, or the Cl@ve system; or on the use of different platforms".

The mayor detailed that "the first appointments have already started, focusing mainly on digital literacy and new technology courses that complete the Benidorm TIC project".

Toni Pérez emphasized that the Office of Senior Assistance "was a commitment of the local government, which is now a reality. We are advancing inclusion by providing the elderly, and other groups who may have some vulnerability in their digital administration interactions, with a service and tools to develop their digital skills and navigate with greater autonomy".

Once this service is operational, the next step is to offer free digital literacy courses. In this regard, it was recalled that the last edition of 'Benidorm TIC', funded with EDUSI funds, concluded with a hundred courses and nearly 900 students; figures that "confirmed not only the project's suitability but also the pertinence of deepening it with a new ambitious edition, where in addition to continuing this training work, a face-to-face service would be provided through the Office of Senior Assistance".

The current 'Benidorm TIC' course project has a duration of 45 months, divided into three periods of 15 months each. In each period, 75 courses will be offered, with specific content depending on the target group: the elderly, young people, children, people with disabilities, immigrant population, etc.

These courses will be held in various municipal spaces to maximize attendance, such as the 'José Llorca Linares' and 'La Torreta' social centres, the 'Pepita Puchades' employment centre, or the Town Hall itself.