Silver surfer graduates receive their certificates as part of
Adult Learners’ Week
19th May 2009
Older residents at two of Somer Community Housing
Trust’s sheltered housing schemes have received certificates from
Norton Radstock College at a special presentation (Friday, 15th
May), the final day of national Adult Learners’ Week.
The pioneering ‘silver surfer’ initiative, a partnership between
the Trust and Norton Radstock College, has seen the Trust install
computers for residents to use, with a ten-week training course
provided by the College. Residents from The Green in Odd Down, Bath
joined those at Welton Vale, Midsomer Norton to be presented with
their achievement certificates.
The celebration marks the end of the second phase of a
three-year project, which began in Bath last May and aims to help
residents in up to 30 schemes across Bath and North East Somerset
benefit from a communal computer and help to master the internet,
shop online, and use email to contact friends and family. The other
schemes to take part in this phase included Swainswick Gardens,
Larkhall; Hinton and Iford Close, Saltford; and Hawthorns Court,
Keynsham.
Jo Peters, one of the residents who took part in the course,
said:
‘I found the course really useful,
particularly learning some shortcuts and how to manage files and
folders better. I regularly use the communal computer at The Green
to make notes from meetings of The Possums Social Club. People also
use it for internet shopping.
‘Everyone who came on the course loved it –
our tutor, Melissa, was fabulous and very patient. A couple of
residents had never touched a computer before and were frightened
in case they broke it. The course helped break down those
barriers.’
Anne Southwell, Community Education Officer at Norton Radstock
College,
said:
‘The College is delighted to be working in
partnership with Somer Community Housing Trust on this project. It
is an exciting and valuable programme, which enables older learners
to benefit from modern technology.’
David Ford, Sheltered Housing Team Leader at Somer Community
Housing Trust, said:
‘The first two phases of this project have
been really successful and it’s great to see residents getting so
much out of it – learning new skills and realising the opportunity
it gives them to access services and information, as well as
keeping in touch with distant friends and family.
‘The Trust is providing the computers for
free and paying for the residents’ first year’s broadband fees.
We’re grateful to Norton Radstock College, because without their
training, not as many residents would be able to benefit.’
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