Bridging the digital divide
A community-led digital literacy program
Bytes & Biscuits brings people together over technology and afternoon tea - creating relaxed, judgement-free spaces where people build confidence with the digital tools that matter in everyday life.
Free, friendly tech help for older locals
Bytes & Biscuits is a free digital mentoring program for East Gippsland residents aged 50 and over. Trained young mentors sit down one-on-one with older locals and help with the everyday technology that matters - smartphones and tablets, video calls with family, online banking, MyGov and Medicare, and staying safe from scams.
Sessions are relaxed, patient, and completely free - funded by the Australian Government through the Be Connected program and delivered by ESports Collective in Bairnsdale. No jargon, no rushing, no silly questions. Just a friendly local person, a cup of tea, and biscuits.
Free, one-on-one, and at your own pace - across East Gippsland.
Built with local organisations
Bytes & Biscuits is designed to strengthen local communities. We work alongside community organisations - including schools, employment services, Neighbourhood Houses and sporting clubs - to deliver digital support in places people already know and trust.
Rather than pulling people into a single location, we build digital confidence where people already gather, support organisations to host their own sessions, create shared pathways between learners, mentors and services, and strengthen regional networks rather than duplicating them.
Local, respectful, and sustainable digital inclusion across East Gippsland.
Why Bytes & Biscuits exists
Bytes & Biscuits exists because ESports Collective was created to meet a real need in Bairnsdale - a lack of inclusive, engaging spaces for young people.
As we work toward becoming a sustainable, independent business, we have seen how naturally young people share digital skills, and how many older community members feel left behind by technology. Bytes & Biscuits brings those two worlds together. Grants like this help us extend our impact into the wider community while we continue building ESports Collective for the long term.
Connecting generations through technology
In 2025, ESports Collective was awarded a capacity-building grant to train 50 Young Digital Mentors. Bytes & Biscuits is the program that puts those young people to work - and helps us identify and support new mentors to join.
Partners apply for grants
With our support, community organisations apply for Good Things Foundation grants to help older members (50+) build digital confidence.
Mentors deliver sessions
Trained Digital Mentors from the ESports Collective team run sessions - at ESports Collective or alongside existing community activities.
Older people get support
Patient, one-on-one help with everyday technology, in familiar and supportive environments across East Gippsland.
Meaningful outcomes for everyone
Young people
Real-world experience, confidence, and a meaningful way to give back - plus free gaming time at ESports Collective for every hour they volunteer.
Older people
Practical digital skills and the confidence to use the technology that matters in everyday life, on their own terms.
Community
When multiple mentors volunteer from one organisation, free private hire sessions can be arranged - great for fundraising or team social events.
Help close the digital divide
Sign up to an upcoming training to become a Digital Mentor, or get in touch to find out how your organisation can take part.
or call 0468 009 660