Meet our Digital Ambassadors: Hugo Cerda

We spoke to our Digital Ambassador Hugo, who is working within his community to reduce the digital divide.  

A little bit about you and why you became a Digital Ambassador? 

Hi, my name is Hugo and I’m a Digital Ambassador based in London. I have been part of the Digital Ambassador programme for about 4 months. I joined the programme to help those who struggle with technology to learn more about their devices and the online world. 

What do you enjoy most about being a Digital Ambassador? 

I like being a Digital Ambassador because I like helping people, mostly when they are struggling with using a laptop or a tablet or understanding the basics of how to set up emails. I find it very rewarding to help those who struggle with tasks like setting up an email or resetting passwords, as there are always solutions that will make their relationship with technology much better.  

Is there anything that being a Digital Ambassador has taught you about yourself?  

Being a Digital Ambassador has taught me that I am very determined. As someone with learning difficulties, I can understand how important it is to ensure that a learner fully understands what they are learning. Sometimes this might take longer, but whether it takes an hour or a day for a learner to feel comfortable with what they have learnt, I will figure out a solution with them. 

Can you give an example of the kind of impact you, as a Digital Ambassador have had on someone or your community?  

I had a positive impact with a student I am currently teaching. She was struggling to understand how to set up her emails and change her password online. We found a solution together and managed to fix everything. She was very happy and grateful that we found a solution for her. 

Do you have any memorable highlights that you have made as a Digital Ambassador?  

My favourite part of being a Digital Ambassador was when I helped a student over the phone. I talked him through the Zoom set up, with a device that was given by the community. I gave him a phone call and went through step-by-step instructions on how to log into Zoom and how to set it up and by the end, we were able to have a successful call on Zoom. It was very rewarding to help a learner overcome something that they were struggling with and see how happy he was to have gone through the basics of a device he had never used before. 

Has being a Digital Ambassador helped you in your personal life and if so, in what ways? 

Being a Digital Ambassador has helped me to build my confidence and enhance my teaching skills. 

If you’re interested in becoming a Digital Ambassador in London, please visit the Community Connect page or register your interest via email at [email protected].