Computer club calls for support
26/02/2007
Could you help other older residents in the Bournemouth area join the computer age?
Two groups of Bournemouth residents recently completed a specialist computer-training course specifically designed to meet the needs of older people; taught at a suitable pace and with little jargon. Each course ran for six weeks and covered word processing, use of the Internet and email. The hugely successful course was organised by Andrea Carvell, Older Person’s Neighbourhood Warden with the support of Age Concern Bournemouth who provided course materials and specialist tutors. Following the course, trainees have had access to a regular Over 60s Computer Club at the venue, which provides on-going peer group training & support.
However, the course was massively over subscribed, and evaluation and feedback have indicated there is a huge demand for this type of supportive learning. The charitable funding has run out and the Older Person’s Neighbourhood Warden is trying to put together a team to secure a future for this project, seeking volunteers to continue it with the support of herself and colleagues in the Safer Stronger Communities Team at Bournemouth Borough Council.
There are two different volunteer roles which need to be filled, although the organisers would welcome anyone who would like to work on both aspects. The first is for members of the public with good computer skills to assist the two existing volunteers as mentors at the Over 60s Computer Club.
The other role is slightly more managerial, which would involve just a little time to put together a charitable grant application with the help of Andrea Carvell, and her colleagues to fund more courses and the on-going Computer Club. It is expected that both roles would contribute to developing the club in the future. It is hoped that the club will address social isolation and expand opportunities for older people to communicate through inter-generational and inter-cultural projects, as well as, by addressing older people’s lack of representation by forming an E-Users Forum to take part in consultation and regeneration projects.
Andrea Carvell, Older Person’s Neighbourhood Warden said: “Many goods, services and information are only available on-line. For people with limited mobility, computer communications can be a lifeline to a social life and a way of staying in touch with dispersed family and friends. It can also facilitate an opportunity to take an active role in local community life and regeneration. And psychologically it’s important for older people not to feel left behind by the tide of progress”.
The Over 60s Computer Club is held in Springbourne Library for two hours every Wednesday afternoon.
For more information about either of the voluntary roles, contact Andrea Carvell, telephone 01202 458224 (Mon-Weds) or email andrea.carvel@bournemouth.gov.uk