This site reports an open exploration in 2012-13, on behalf of the Nominet Trust, into how we can use digital technology later in life, and also some ideas that flowed from that. During the exploration - reported and summarised on a blog - we gathered ideas and resources on an open document and ideas platform, ran a workshop, and wrote a series of blog posts. The output from the main exploration, from October 2012 to March 2013, was a set of themes and provocations, with back-up references. The team was David Wilcox, Drew Mackie, Steve Dale and John Popham - with many contributions from others during the open process. Thanks everyone.

• Final report from Nominet Trust

Nominet Trust have now announced details of the new funding opportunities developed from this exploration, with a focus on one of our underlying themes - life transitions

• Blog post by Dan Sutch, Nominet Trust - web archive
• Post by David Wilcox
• The Life Transitions funding programme - from web archive

• The report in one document
• The report themes and provocations, with linked reference materials: headlines below
• Blog posts
• Reference material on Storify
• Bookmarks on Diigo
• Summary of discussion on Gransnet
• Report from our workshop on October 23 2013

Below are the headline themes and provocations from the report - more detail here.

• Digital technology will be significant for everyone later in life - and a lot of older people may be excluded from the benefits.
• Developing personal and community use of digital technology can help us feel valued and valuable.
• Changing circumstances and transitions in later life may be times when digital technology is most valuable.
• New and less confident users of digital technology need continuing support.
• Better sharing of knowledge, experience and resources could foster innovation.
• Co-designing with a clear purpose will improve usability and relevance of digital technology later in life.

• Look at personal needs and interests as well as common motivations - one digital size won't fit all.
• Build on past experience with familiar technology as well as offering new devices - they may do the job.
• Consider the new life skills and access people will need as technology changes our world - using technology is ceasing to be optional.
• Turn the challenge of learning about technology into a new social opportunity - and make it fun.
• See digital technology for later in life as a major market - co-designing with users could offer wider relevance.
• Address social isolation and other challenges through a blend of online and offline - they dont need to be different worlds.
• Enable carers and care services - both for direct use of technology and to act as proxies.
• Use digital technologies to enhance existing connections of family and friends - and help each other learn.
• Value the role that older people may have in acting as digital technology champions - and providing long term support.
• Look for ideas among those providing digital training and support - and help them realise them.

Our exploration into digital technology in later life was mainly focused on the individual, and those who could help in using technology. Shirley Ayres developed a complementary report about online innovation and how it can enhance care services - something about which she reports and consults on extensively. Links to Shirley’s research here.

David Wilcox, Tony Watts and Bryan Manning developed Ten pillars of wisdom: a manifesto for a better later life based on the initial research, and ideas from a SW Seniors Assembly in Bristol on May 28 2013.

As part of the exploration we created an online forum for discussion about the report and further developments, and blogged some ideas:

• Forum at social learning network
• Ideas for further development