Switched On Seniors

06/09/2026

A lot of seniors tell us they avoid asking for help because they don’t want to burden their children or grandchildren. You deserve support that feels patient and unhurried. Our groups are a welcoming place to get exactly that.

Switched on Seniors is a friendly, peer‑led space where seniors help other seniors with everyday technology. There’s relaxed learning, a hot cuppa, and plenty of time for one‑on‑one support. We’re here week in, week out, so join a group whenever you like and stay for as long as you need.

If you’re feeling unsure with your phone or tablet, come along this week! If you know someone who needs support, please share and encourage them to pop in. Our friendly team of mentors are waiting to help.

📍 Where we’re meeting this week:

ROCKINGHAM – Autumn Centre
McNicholl Street
Tuesdays, 10am to 12pm | $4 per week
Centre membership required

WAIKIKI – Rockingham Baptist Church
30 Gnangara Drive
Thursdays during school terms, 10am to 12pm | $4 per week

SHOALWATER – Church Hall
78 Frederick Street
Fridays, 10am to 12pm | $4 per week

COCKBURN – Spearwood Library
9 Coleville Crescent, Spearwood WA 6163
Wednesdays, 1pm to 3pm
Free to attend, no bookings required
Tel: 9411 3800
https://www.cockburnlibraries.com.au/programs/switched-on-seniors/

PERTH C*D – Uniting Seniors in the City
Level 1, 97 William Street, Perth WA 6000
Tuesdays, 1pm to 2.30pm
$99 per term, includes access to up to 3 classes per week
Tel: 9483 1333
Email: [email protected]
https://www.perthunitingchurch.org.au/courses/view/tech-time

02/09/2026

A quick check that helps you stay safer online

Are you unsure which safety settings actually matter on your phone or tablet? This simple guide explains the main ones - privacy, permissions, location, communication and updates - and how small adjustments can make everyday use feel safer and more predictable.

It’s not about locking everything down. It’s about knowing where the key settings live and choosing options that suit you.

Find out more here: https://littleaussie.com.au/post/digital-safety-settings-guide-australia?communitysuburb=Rockingham&storyid=47b0c9d7-5770-f111-ab0d-6045bdc362a1&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=TLF

If you need help with these or other device settings, bring your device to one of our groups and get steady, peer‑led support.

Digital safety settings are the built-in controls on your phone, computer and apps that help you decide what's shared, what's protected and who can contact you. Most of them are already on your device - they just need a quick check and occasional adjustment.

01/09/2026

All welcome at this Free Emergency Ready App Workshop to be held at the Autumn Centre on Tuesday 22 September.

30/08/2026

Photos, apps, and updates can fill up a device quickly. Many older adults feel confused or stressed when their phone says it’s “full”. This is a very common issue, and you’re not alone. Our groups can help you understand what’s going on.

Switched on Seniors is a friendly, peer‑led space where seniors help other seniors with everyday technology. There’s relaxed learning, a hot cuppa, and plenty of time for one‑on‑one support. We’re here week in, week out, so join a group whenever you like and stay for as long as you need.

If you’re feeling unsure with your phone or tablet, come along this week! If you know someone who needs support, please share and encourage them to pop in. Our friendly team of mentors are waiting to help.

📍 Where we’re meeting this week:

ROCKINGHAM – Autumn Centre
McNicholl Street
Tuesdays, 10am to 12pm | $4 per week
Centre membership required

WAIKIKI – Rockingham Baptist Church
30 Gnangara Drive
Thursdays during school terms, 10am to 12pm | $4 per week

SHOALWATER – Church Hall
78 Frederick Street
Fridays, 10am to 12pm | $4 per week

COCKBURN – Spearwood Library
9 Coleville Crescent, Spearwood WA 6163
Wednesdays, 1pm to 3pm
Free to attend, no bookings required
Tel: 9411 3800
https://www.cockburnlibraries.com.au/programs/switched-on-seniors/

PERTH C*D – Uniting Seniors in the City
Level 1, 97 William Street, Perth WA 6000
Tuesdays, 1pm to 2.30pm
$99 per term, includes access to up to 3 classes per week
Tel: 9483 1333
Email: [email protected]
https://www.perthunitingchurch.org.au/courses/view/tech-time

26/08/2026

🌿 New $150 Backyard Boost now open - but you’ll need the ServiceWA app to claim it

The WA Government has launched a Backyard Boost payment to help households create cooler, greener outdoor spaces. Eligible Western Australians can receive $150 to put towards the purchase of native trees.

To apply, you’ll need to make your claim through the ServiceWA app. For many people, this process can be confusing - especially if you haven’t used ServiceWA in a while.

That’s exactly what Switched on Seniors is here for.

If you’d like support with:
• downloading or updating ServiceWA
• logging in with Digital ID / myID
• navigating the claim steps
• understanding what information you need

…you’re welcome to drop in to any of our weekly sessions for patient, step‑by‑step help.

Read more about the Backyard Boost here:
https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/government/the-150-backyard-boost-helping-households-grow-cooler-greener-spaces/?utm_source=campaign-monitor&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-newsletter

Could your next tree cost a lot less? Image Source: prostooleh / Magnific

25/08/2026

Paying bills online is convenient, secure and better for the environment, but scammers can make fake invoices look just like genuine bills 🧾💻

This Scam Awareness Week, learn how to spot the warning signs and stay safe with our free video course on protecting yourself against fake invoice scams.

In this short session, you’ll learn how to:
🔎 identify the warning signs of a fake invoice scam
🛑 use the Stop. Check. Protect. approach before making a payment
🔐 protect your personal and financial information
⚠️ know what to do if you have been scammed.

Australians aged 55 and over lost more than $147 million to scams in 2025. A reminder of how important it is to stay scam-savvy.

Developed in collaboration with Scamwatch, our new scam video course provides practical tips to help you stay one step ahead of scammers.

Watch it today: https://news.esafety.gov.au/4hQOtBI

ACCC

23/08/2026

Logins, codes, and government websites can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re under pressure to complete something important. These challenges are shared by many people in our community. You’re welcome to come along and work through them with support.

Switched on Seniors is a friendly, peer‑led space where seniors help other seniors with everyday technology. There’s relaxed learning, a hot cuppa, and plenty of time for one‑on‑one support. We’re here week in, week out, so join a group whenever you like and stay for as long as you need.

If you’re feeling unsure with your phone or tablet, come along this week! If you know someone who needs support, please share and encourage them to pop in. Our friendly team of mentors are waiting to help.

📍 Where we’re meeting this week:

ROCKINGHAM – Autumn Centre
McNicholl Street
Tuesdays, 10am to 12pm | $4 per week
Centre membership required

WAIKIKI – Rockingham Baptist Church
30 Gnangara Drive
Thursdays during school terms, 10am to 12pm | $4 per week

SHOALWATER – Church Hall
78 Frederick Street
Fridays, 10am to 12pm | $4 per week

COCKBURN – Spearwood Library
9 Coleville Crescent, Spearwood WA 6163
Wednesdays, 1pm to 3pm
Free to attend, no bookings required
Tel: 9411 3800
https://www.cockburnlibraries.com.au/programs/switched-on-seniors/

PERTH C*D – Uniting Seniors in the City
Level 1, 97 William Street, Perth WA 6000
Tuesdays, 1pm to 2.30pm
$99 per term, includes access to up to 3 classes per week
Tel: 9483 1333
Email: [email protected]
https://www.perthunitingchurch.org.au/courses/view/tech-time

19/08/2026

🌥 What is cloud storage, and why do so many people use it?

If you’ve ever wondered where your photos, documents or messages “live” when they’re not stored on your device, this short explainer from Little Aussie breaks it down in a really simple way.

Cloud storage is just a secure place online where your files are kept safe, backed up and easy to access from any device. It can help free up space on your phone or computer, protect your files if something goes wrong, and make sharing with family much easier.

Read the full article here:
https://littleaussie.com.au/post/what-is-cloud-storage

Need help?
Visit one of our groups this week for friendly support!

The "cloud" itself isn't some mysterious floating thing. It's just a friendly name for rows of powerful servers sitting in secure data centres, quietly storing your files and handing them back to you whenever you need them.

16/08/2026

Unexpected warnings, alerts, and pop ups can be alarming. Many seniors tell us they close their device entirely because they’re afraid of doing the wrong thing. You’re not alone in feeling cautious. You can bring these concerns to our groups and talk them through with others who understand.

Switched on Seniors is a friendly, peer‑led space where seniors help other seniors with everyday technology. There’s relaxed learning, a hot cuppa, and plenty of time for one‑on‑one support. We’re here week in, week out, so join a group whenever you like and stay for as long as you need.
If you’re feeling unsure with your phone or tablet, come along this week! If you know someone who needs support, please share and encourage them to pop in. Our friendly team of mentors are waiting to help.

📍 Where we’re meeting this week:

ROCKINGHAM – Autumn Centre
McNicholl Street
Tuesdays, 10am to 12pm | $4 per week
Centre membership required

WAIKIKI – Rockingham Baptist Church
30 Gnangara Drive
Thursdays during school terms, 10am to 12pm | $4 per week

SHOALWATER – Church Hall
78 Frederick Street
Fridays, 10am to 12pm | $4 per week

COCKBURN – Spearwood Library
9 Coleville Crescent, Spearwood WA 6163
Wednesdays, 1pm to 3pm
Free to attend, no bookings required
Tel: 9411 3800
https://www.cockburnlibraries.com.au/programs/switched-on-seniors/

PERTH C*D – Uniting Seniors in the City
Level 1, 97 William Street, Perth WA 6000
Tuesdays, 1pm to 2.30pm
$99 per term, includes access to up to 3 classes per week
Tel: 9483 1333
Email: [email protected]
https://www.perthunitingchurch.org.au/courses/view/tech-time

12/08/2026

Location‑Sharing Risks

Many apps and devices now ask to “share your location”, and for many people it feels harmless. But sharing your location can reveal more than you think, and scammers are starting to use this information in worrying ways.

Here are a few risks to be aware of:

• Scammers can track your routines. If your location is always on, it can show when you leave home, where you shop and when you travel.
• Fake messages can become more convincing. Criminals can use your location to send targeted scams, like “You left something behind at this store” or “Your parcel is waiting at a nearby depot”.
• Social media posts can give away your home address. Photos taken at home often include hidden location data unless it is turned off.
• Shared locations can be used for impersonation. Scammers may pretend to be a family member “nearby” to build trust.

A few simple steps can help keep you safer:

• Turn off location sharing for apps that do not need it
• Check your phone’s privacy settings regularly
• Avoid posting your exact location on social media
• Be cautious with apps that ask for location access without a clear reason

More information is available here:
https://scambusters.org/sharing-location-risks.html

If you are unsure how to check your settings, bring your device along to a Switched on Seniors session. We are always happy to help.

Many apps and social media platforms encourage location sharing. Understanding possible risks is essential for protecting your privacy and safety.