Service User Testimonials and case studies
Sarah
Sarah saw a news article on TV about laptop donations in Lewisham and found us and recalled emailing on Christmas Eve.
She called and left messages and Damian called her back after the holidays. She was referred through citizens' advice.
She uses her laptop for her studies, researching, writing and submitting work. She states whenever she has had issues they have been resolved quickly. She is working more steadily now and hopes to be able to buy her own laptop soon.
She uses her laptop for her studies, researching, writing and submitting work. She states whenever she has had issues they have been resolved quickly. She is working more steadily now and hopes to be able to buy her own laptop soon.
Donna
"I am so grateful to Catbytes for introducing this idea of lending a laptop, which been an answer to my prayers because
I have been out of employment for a number of months and was was not in a position to buy a computer. There have been a few
occasions when the computer wouldn't function as it should. So I called Catbytes and they were very helpful by making arrangements
for me to come and have it looked at and resolve the problem.
I lacked confidence to use a computer and now I'm feeling confident. "
I lacked confidence to use a computer and now I'm feeling confident. "
Errol
Caz Fox
"When Charles (Caz's referrer) told me that there was a charity that lent out Laptop Computers, I jumped at the chance to try it out.
Forms were easy to fill out and the terms and conditions of the 6 months ago loan were easy to understand.
The time I used it was a good thing for me as I didn't have an up-to-date Laptop, and new things were now on there.
I had to be mindful that this wasn't my laptop, so I avoided putting anything personal on it. It was more a learning tool to
update my knowledge on new programming.
I still can't buy a new laptop but when I do, I will have a bit more understanding of the new systems that are constantly being added. Thanks, Catbytes for the opportunity and to Charles for sorting it out. I would recommend it to anyone."
I still can't buy a new laptop but when I do, I will have a bit more understanding of the new systems that are constantly being added. Thanks, Catbytes for the opportunity and to Charles for sorting it out. I would recommend it to anyone."
Christine
Christine came to Lewisham from Ireland as a child during the 2nd World War. Her dad was seriously wounded and the family came over to
see him in Lewisham Hospital. The family decided to stay in the UK and although Christine has moved around London during her life,
she always comes back to Lewisham.
Christine was given an iPad 3 years ago when one of her grandchildren was born. She has some photos on it but other than that she doesn’t know what to do with it. She’d like to get an e-mail to keep in touch with her family. Although she has a mobile phone it is 20 years old and she only has it for emergency calls.
Christine visits St.Luke’s in Downham every Friday and is delighted to be able to meet the Catbytes volunteers who are helping her with her iPad so that she can finally connect with family and make use of other applications
Christine was given an iPad 3 years ago when one of her grandchildren was born. She has some photos on it but other than that she doesn’t know what to do with it. She’d like to get an e-mail to keep in touch with her family. Although she has a mobile phone it is 20 years old and she only has it for emergency calls.
Christine visits St.Luke’s in Downham every Friday and is delighted to be able to meet the Catbytes volunteers who are helping her with her iPad so that she can finally connect with family and make use of other applications
Pete Smith
"My advisor signposted me to a Catbytes drop in that was near to me in Catford. I got given a PC but
I couldn't get it to work and nobody I know could help. I went to the drop in and was seen immediately and was sorted out
really quickly. I left the drop in knowing a lot more then when I went in and have a working computer thanks to Catbytes"
Trudi
Keyleigh
"I am very grateful and thankful to have had this opportunity to loan a laptop as there was no way I could have afforded to purchase one
while seeking employment. It was crucial for me to have access in order to revise my CV and begin my work search to getting back into
the workforce. Without this option I’m unsure how I would have managed.
I consider myself lucky as had I have not joined up with Lewisham works I would likely not have discovered Catbytes and the help that is offered by yourselves. The team at Catbytes are lovely it was very easy for me to collect the laptop and the same to return it.
I think it’s a great thing to be able to help people with such devices during difficult times.”
I consider myself lucky as had I have not joined up with Lewisham works I would likely not have discovered Catbytes and the help that is offered by yourselves. The team at Catbytes are lovely it was very easy for me to collect the laptop and the same to return it.
I think it’s a great thing to be able to help people with such devices during difficult times.”
Eunice
Eunice has 20 years experience as a nurse. However, her digital skills were poor. She was studying for a degree in nursing and needed to improve.
She first came to us at the drop-in at 2000 Community Action Centre. Since that time she has visited our drop-ins at New Cross Learning and Pepys Resource Centre. We were delighted to learn that she has successfully completed her degree, and has started an MSc in nursing.
Eunice had this to say about her experience of getting support from Catbytes:
"I hereby write appreciating the services I have been given by Catbytes Digital Community.
I came to know of Catbytes from Lewisham Library last year (2023) when I phoned asking them for help with digital skills. I have gone back to full time study after twenty years . My previous studies did not require any IT skills. I found studying very challenging as my IT skills were tested greatly. However, with the help from Catbytes, I managed to complete my Course and am studying a post graduate degree at the moment.
Damian, you have been of tremendous help. Introducing me to the different Catbytes centres made it easier for me and I have been accessing them on different days. Need mentioning is the fact all your volunteering staff are very patient, knowledgeable, professional and dedicated to help.
Collectively, your help has been tremendous. I successfully completed my course and am studying a post graduate degree at the moment. I know that I would have struggled a lot had it not been of all your staff's help. With their permission, I do appreciate them namely; John and Cleo from Phoenix Community Housing, Lana - Pepys Community Hub, Naveen, James and Toby from New Cross Library. Your ongoing assistance is highly appreciated. I have and will continue recommending this service to a lot of people."
"I hereby write appreciating the services I have been given by Catbytes Digital Community.
I came to know of Catbytes from Lewisham Library last year (2023) when I phoned asking them for help with digital skills. I have gone back to full time study after twenty years . My previous studies did not require any IT skills. I found studying very challenging as my IT skills were tested greatly. However, with the help from Catbytes, I managed to complete my Course and am studying a post graduate degree at the moment.
Damian, you have been of tremendous help. Introducing me to the different Catbytes centres made it easier for me and I have been accessing them on different days. Need mentioning is the fact all your volunteering staff are very patient, knowledgeable, professional and dedicated to help.
Collectively, your help has been tremendous. I successfully completed my course and am studying a post graduate degree at the moment. I know that I would have struggled a lot had it not been of all your staff's help. With their permission, I do appreciate them namely; John and Cleo from Phoenix Community Housing, Lana - Pepys Community Hub, Naveen, James and Toby from New Cross Library. Your ongoing assistance is highly appreciated. I have and will continue recommending this service to a lot of people."
Sharon
"I am very happy with the help I got from Catbytes. They guided me in a Universal Credit transfer
application which meant I was able to do this on my own, and i was successful!
I was so pleased, as this can be made overly complicated!"
Mavis
Mavis was referred by Community Connections. She was trying to complete online forms and found her phone screen too small. She had completed IT training in the past and is quite a confident user; uploading supporting documents to her council tax account. Formerly using internet shops and libraries, she can now surf in the comfort of her home. She happily watches movies and documentaries on the laptop. When faults occurred Catbytes collected and replaced them, which she finds reassuring. Mavis said she loves having her photo taken and posed for her shot which you can see here.
Errol
Errol is a pensioner and has been living in Lewisham for over
50 years after moving from Jamaica.
Errol wanted to attend French language classes and while he
was at the French classes one of the other students told him
about Catbytes. He decided to try the class as he said his
‘computer skills were rubbish and it was driving me crazy’.
Errol said the Catbytes drop-in session was ideal for him and
the fact that it is free is ‘amazing’.
Errol said he has been attending for about a year and he finds
the volunteers have been really patient and kind as he
describes himself as a ‘tough learner’.
Errol said that two years ago his son died and and for a long
time he felt nothing but grief. Errol said that attending the class
over the last year has helped him through his grief as the
session gives him something other than his grief to focus on.
Raymond
Raymond lives in supported accommodation and
decided he wanted to learn new things and try things
he had never done before.
Raymond wanted to do his shopping on-line but
didn’t have a computer and wasn’t sure how to go
about this.
A member of staff at his home gave him a leaflet
about Catbytes so six months ago he popped on the
bus and tried a digital drop-in session at Stanstead
Lodge in Forest Hill. He liked it so much he now
attends every week.
Raymond uses one of the computers provided by
Catbytes at the session. He says it ‘feels like a day
out’ and the ‘volunteers are very nice and patient’.
Sandra
Sandra lives in Lewisham and decided to visit Orchard Gardens Community Gardens Social Hub.
Sandra wanted to visit initially to engage with other people and get advice and support.
While she was there she advised that she needed help with using her smartphone and so she attended a Digital Drop In session at Orchard Community Gardens.
Sandra was given advice on device care for her phone including backing up and managing her storage.
Sandra found the advice and support very helpful and has been coming regularly to learn more about using her phone and she has also received advice about using her laptop and recently had help with completing an online application for Universal Credit.
Sandra wanted to visit initially to engage with other people and get advice and support.
While she was there she advised that she needed help with using her smartphone and so she attended a Digital Drop In session at Orchard Community Gardens.
Sandra was given advice on device care for her phone including backing up and managing her storage.
Sandra found the advice and support very helpful and has been coming regularly to learn more about using her phone and she has also received advice about using her laptop and recently had help with completing an online application for Universal Credit.
Arthur
Arthur started visiting the club at the Pepys Estate in 2022. He had been referred to us by a worker at Forest Hill Job Centre to get help with his
digital skills.
Arthur appeared to have a difficulty with communication. We were not clear what the root of it was.
It was suggested that it might be undiagnosed deafness. Arthur joined in the games, and showed himself to be a good dominoes player.
Although the social side of the club has been more interesting to him, we were able to arrange for him to attend an online interview with the job
centre last year. He would not have known how to attend this without our support.
Over the three years he has been coming to the club, we have noticed an improvement in his speech.
Noel
Noel came to Orchard Gardens on the first day it ran. Since that time he has returned every week. When he first came he wanted to start his own business shipping fish from Guyana. His IT skills were poor, but he is very persistent. His fish shipping business is still a hope for the future. However we have supported him to develop the following skills:- Using WhatsApp, so as to significantly reduce his phone bills as he has relatives and friends abroad.
- Getting a clearer idea which email address he should use for communication
- Using Learn My Way for self-teaching
- Using a customer loyalty card to save money
- Keeping a record of his passwords so he can log into accounts
- Setting up a direct debit phone package instead of relying on expensive monthly top-ups
- Getting support with getting repairs to his home using email.
Albert
Albert became bored in his retirement and after recovering from a stroke he decided he needed to
attend classes to try new activities in order to help
him recover and to fill his time.
Albert came to one of the Catbytes Digital Drop-in sessions at Stanstead Lodge in Forest Hill. He found using technology really helped him and he now brings his laptop every Friday to the regular drop-in session.
Albert says that Catbytes has really helped not only with using his laptop but also in developing his independence again after having a stroke.
Albert came to one of the Catbytes Digital Drop-in sessions at Stanstead Lodge in Forest Hill. He found using technology really helped him and he now brings his laptop every Friday to the regular drop-in session.
Albert says that Catbytes has really helped not only with using his laptop but also in developing his independence again after having a stroke.
Toyce
"I first heard about the digital drop-in when a leaflet came through my door last July.I wanted to learn about everything digital. My need to learn began indoors with my TV. I had switched from Sky to Freeview and needed to know how to do it properly.
It was recommended I start “Learn My Way,” which I could learn while using technology.
Since coming each week, I feel it has made my life much more easier to do anything with technology on my phone and laptop. I enjoy listening to my online Bible or going to YouTube to listen to music from my past.
I have now completed ‘Learn My Way’. I have enjoyed coming each week because they are all very friendly. I have now signed up for Open University but am undecided about where to go from here.!”
Peter
"Patricia and her team at Catbytes are incredibly helpful and supportive of any person who asks for technical
IT support. She or her team have solved numerous IT issues for me over the last few years . I thoroughly recommend them for IT issues.
They are all friendly, courteous and do not in the slightest make one feel silly or foolish in seeking their help"
Eugenio
"I was struggling with boosting my internet, and while others suggested convoluted ways to sort this out,
Sam explained an easy and affordable fix, in a straightforward and easy to understand manner. I was very happy" Anonymous
Veronica
"Catbytes is a charity(CIC) that is undoubtedly a well needed service for lower struggling income families like myself with children.
During Covid my children had to learn online which meant we needed a computer or laptop.
I did a search online for a charity(CIC) who was willing to lend or gifted a laptop and was very fortunate to come across Catbytes!
One of the many good things about Catbytes was the location : I didn't have to travel far to collect one of the laptops on loan and as well as I wasn't pressured to return it by a given date so it give us the peace of mind without the added stress of having to look elsewhere for another laptop to use for their school work.
Fast forward to present , my children use the laptop for coding lessons and school work and as well to play games. They are of primary school age so they are so contented and happy to have been given the wonderful opportunity to being able to use this device. We have been given a further extension to use it , which we are grateful for and I'm sure there are other families like ourselves who are struggling and just need a little help.
The staff are quite helpful and thoughtful and would like to say a big thank you to Damian."
One of the many good things about Catbytes was the location : I didn't have to travel far to collect one of the laptops on loan and as well as I wasn't pressured to return it by a given date so it give us the peace of mind without the added stress of having to look elsewhere for another laptop to use for their school work.
Fast forward to present , my children use the laptop for coding lessons and school work and as well to play games. They are of primary school age so they are so contented and happy to have been given the wonderful opportunity to being able to use this device. We have been given a further extension to use it , which we are grateful for and I'm sure there are other families like ourselves who are struggling and just need a little help.
The staff are quite helpful and thoughtful and would like to say a big thank you to Damian."
