Windsor Housing’s Silver Surfers Intergenerational Project, a project that harnesses the technical knowledge of teenage volunteers to encourage digital inclusion for over 50s, has been extended into more rural areas.
The project, run in partnership with Windsor & Maidenhead Voluntary Action (WMVA) and the Royal Borough's Youth Service and Libraries, has expanded to Eton Wick after the success of the Windsor and Dedworth projects. Running for six weeks, the course was oversubscribed with the maximum 15 residents learning to use email, the internet and other packages, and many more applying to attend.
Providing older generation with the ability to navigate their way around the internet has been shown to visibly improve their quality of life, allowing them to feel less isolated and help them to stay in touch with friends and family members, as well as relatives abroad.
Windsor Housing’s Silver Surfers Intergenerational Project, a project that harnesses the technical knowledge of teenage volunteers to encourage digital inclusion for over 50s, has been extended into more rural areas.
The project, run in partnership with Windsor & Maidenhead Voluntary Action (WMVA) and the Royal Borough's Youth Service and Libraries, has expanded to Eton Wick after the success of the Windsor and Dedworth projects. Running for six weeks, the course was oversubscribed with the maximum 15 residents learning to use email, the internet and other packages, and many more applying to attend.
Providing older generation with the ability to navigate their way around the internet has been shown to visibly improve their quality of life, allowing them to feel less isolated and help them to stay in touch with friends and family members, as well as relatives abroad.
Maureen Shillam said “It’s been a great success – absolutely wonderful. Betty can now follow her grandson on his trip around America using Google Earth.”
The initial idea was born at a time of considerable negative press directed at young people in the local newspapers. As part of the Radian Group, Windsor Housing were keen to show young people in a positive light and encourage greater interaction with older members of the community to bridge age barriers and breakdown negative perceptions and stereotypes.
“I was happy working with the elderly people. I wanted to gain respect from them for our younger generation and for them to understand us, so that they can be more comfortable around us”, said 16 year old, Matt King.
The basic IT skills training that the young people delivered was open to Windsor Housing residents over the age of 50, most of whom would have ordinarily been hesitant to attend courses at a local college.
Eton Wick resident Jean Baxter said, "The young person who worked with me was very knowledgeable and patient. I really enjoyed myself and look forward to the next session".
The 15 young volunteers found themselves in an interesting role reversal situation as they were in a position teaching people who were their own grandparents’ contemporaries. Some even extended their remit by teaching them how to send text messages and get the best out of their mobile phones.
“They were interesting, nice people. It was satisfying helping the elderly and I hope I changed their minds about how they think of us”, said 17 year old Brandon John.
Tina Mudell exclaimed: “It is the highlight of my week. I always leave here feeling so happy.”
Windsor is now working on a 'toolkit' of resources, which will have a step by step guide on how to carry out various internet based tasks including web searches, setting up e-mails and shipping, which other organisations can use to develop similar projects in their areas.