The Care Hub
Digital Support for Older Adults in Bath & North East Somerset: How Age UK BANES Can Help

Digital Support for Older Adults in Bath & North East Somerset: How Age UK BANES Can Help

Carers allowance 2024 | Care with Gladys
Many families come to Gladys at moments of transition — after a hospital discharge, when loneliness starts to creep in, or when a loved one wants support without losing independence. We often see how small changes, like reduced confidence with technology or fewer social connections, can quietly increase reliance on family. If this resonates, you may find our guides on support after hospital discharge, recognising social isolation in older adults, how care at home can protect independence, and early dementia support at home helpful. These resources explore how practical help, companionship and continuity — alongside community initiatives like Age UK’s Digital Inclusion Project — can work together to support older adults to live well at home for longer.

When families think about support at home, care often comes to mind first. But for many older adults, confidence with everyday technology can make just as much difference to independence, wellbeing and connection.

From staying in touch with family to managing NHS appointments or avoiding online scams, digital skills are increasingly part of daily life. That’s why we’re keen to highlight a brilliant local initiative run by Age UK Bath & North East Somerset, which many Gladys clients – and their families – may find genuinely helpful.

Why digital confidence matters as we age

We often speak to families who say things like:

  • “Mum doesn’t use her phone anymore because she’s worried about scams.”
  • “Dad can’t access his NHS App so everything falls to me.”
  • “They’re feeling more isolated since everything moved online.”

Digital exclusion can quietly increase dependence on others, reduce confidence, and contribute to loneliness. Support that builds confidence – at the person’s own pace – can help older adults stay connected, informed and in control.

Age UK BANES: Digital Inclusion Project

Age UK Bath & North East Somerset runs a Digital Inclusion Project offering free, friendly, one-to-one digital support for older adults across the area.

Support is completely personalised and led by the individual. Sessions can cover anything from the basics to more advanced topics, including:

  • Using text messaging, WhatsApp and Facebook
  • Understanding and using the NHS App
  • Online safety and avoiding scams
  • Recovering forgotten passwords and organising emails
  • Setting up new devices (phones, tablets, laptops)
  • Taking, editing and sending photos
  • Online shopping, YouTube, audiobooks and Kindle
  • Searching for local activities and services
  • Even exploring AI tools, if someone is curious

For many people, the biggest benefit is not just the practical help, but the social interaction and reassurance that comes with patient, one-to-one support.

Click Cafés: relaxed, local digital support

Age UK BANES runs regular Click Cafés – welcoming spaces where people can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while getting digital help.

Bath Click Café
📍 St Michael’s Day Centre, Bath (Age UK building)
🕙 Every Wednesday, 10am–12pm

Keynsham Click Café
📍 Keynsham Library & Information Service
🕑 First Wednesday of the month, 2–4pm

Radstock Click Café
📍 Hope House Surgery
🕓 Monthly (dates vary – booking required)

Royal United Hospital Click Café
📍 Friends Café, RUH Bath
🕜 Second Wednesday of each month, 1:30–2:45pm

All sessions are free, but booking is required.

Home visits for those who can’t attend

For people who are unable to attend a Click Café due to mobility challenges, transport difficulties, anxiety, or health issues, Age UK BANES also offers home visits.

🕘 Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm
📍 Available across Bath & North East Somerset
📅 Booking required

This can be particularly valuable for people living alone or recovering after illness or hospital discharge.

How can this complements care at home

At Gladys, we support families with visiting, respite and live-in care across Bath and the surrounding areas. Many of the people we support would benefit from both practical care and digital confidence.

For example:

  • A carer can support daily routines, while Age UK helps someone learn to use video calls to speak to grandchildren
  • Digital support can reduce reliance on family members for admin tasks
  • Confidence using the NHS App can help people manage appointments independently

Together, these types of support help people stay independent for longer.

A community-first approach

We’re keen to signpost Gladys families to Age UK BANES where digital support could make a real difference – and equally happy for Age UK to refer people to us when care or companionship support is needed.

If you’re supporting an older relative in Bath, Keynsham, Radstock or the wider BANES area, this is a service well worth exploring.

You can learn more or book support directly through Age UK Bath & North East Somerset.

If you’d like to talk to someone about care at home, companionship, or finding the right support locally, our team at Gladys is always happy to help.

‍

If you’re supporting a parent or partner and you’re not sure what to do next, we’ve created a library of guides to help you make sense of care at home — from what to do after a hospital discharge, to what it can look like when loneliness starts to creep in, and how to get the right support without losing independence. We also share practical advice for families who may be exploring early dementia support at home, as well as clear explanations of funding options and Direct Payments.

Follow us to hear more
Danielle Chatterton
Mar 2, 2026
•
3 min read