I no longer feel left out with the web

19/09/2007

In response to your correspondent 'Learning to Surf' (MT, August 2007), I would like to tell your readers about the service we have in Westminster City Council, London.

Every four weeks a resident can learn how to access and use the internet based at our local library in Paddington. There are two instructors for ten residents. In my group some people had never even sat at a computer, so it was great to see them learning the internet commands and getting to grips with using a mouse.

The course has given me the confidence to seek information and communicate via email with others. For such a long time I felt left out, because every institution wanted to communicate via email - which I think is actually a form of discrimination.

Incidentally, I can also access the internet for free  - with a time limit - at my library. Perhaps your correspondent could gather support for a similar facility in East Sussex, and press local councillors to provide it? Good luck!

Christine Stribling, London