Surfing lessons for beginners Getting to grips with Google Earth

United Welsh have launched a new scheme to get more of its older residents on-line and surfing the Internet. 

The scheme called ‘Active On-line’ has been set up to respond to concerns that many older people in Wales are being left-behind by new technology.  

Kerry Goodenough, Community Participation Officer for United Welsh said two things are to blame. “One is that older people simply do not have access to the Internet or have never been taught how to use the technology. And the second reason is an under-lying fear of things going wrong. This often means that many older people just avoid using computers altogether. 

“Active On-line is really going to improve the quality of people’s lives. Today we use the Internet for so many things from shopping and education to banking and e-mail. To not have access to this technology means missing out on all these opportunities. The project has really provided the chance for some of our older residents to learn how to use the Internet safely and discover how this wonderful piece of technology, which so many of us take for granted, can add huge value to people’s lives” 

United Welsh is installing computer and broadband Internet access in all its Living + schemes based right across South Wales. This should benefit over 600 residents. In addition residents will receive special one-to-one training to provide them with the skills required to go surfing with confidence! 

Active On-line was formally launched at Glan yr Afan, New Tredegar. Here residents have already received a number of training days and are really starting to get involved. 

Peter Coshe, a resident at Glan yr Afan has been putting his newly learnt skills to use on ‘Google Earth’, a program that uses satellite imagery to bring the world’s geographical information to the computer screen. Peter said, “Getting to grips with the computer is hard going but I’m really enjoying it. I feel I’m getting better each time I practice. I never thought I’d be able to view an aerial photograph of my home on the Internet”.

 

So far residents at Glan yr Afan have been using the Internet for a range of things such as puzzles and quizzes, researching family ancestry, sending e-mails to family abroad and old army colleagues, and planning holidays. Solitaire is also a big favourite as its perfect for improving those mouse skills.

 

(13th June 2006)