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Over 50s take a bite at tech
Welcome to the Angus Gold 50+ project. A unique partnership has grown up to give over-50s in Angus a chance to contribute substantially to matters that affect their lives by getting involved in the digital technology age. Here, one visually impaired and disabled 82 year old proves you're never too old to learn new tricks.
The project, funded by the Scottish Executive under its programme for digital inclusion and modernising local government, offers the opportunity to be involved in the development of information on health and well-being, but it has opened other equally vital doors for its users. Though all its clients are over 50 and not a few over 80, it offers free computer training as one of its key elements and as a way of engaging with the targeted 50-plus population.
Strokes and keystrokes
'We started off by aiming to attract people who would not normally access any electronic information at all', explained Ann Craig, Project Co-ordinator, 'people with a fear of computers, people who may find it difficult to access learning due to a variety of difficulties such as people with brain injury or blindness or those who are affected by strokes, and people who thought computers were simply for young people and had no relevance in their lives. We knew we couldn't put up signs and expect these people to come to us. So we took our project out to them.'
Initially project workers visited bingo halls, bowling clubs and supermarkets, and they contacted the Forfarshire Society for the Blind, and mental health projects within sheltered housing - anywhere they knew people over 50 came together. They took computer equipment with them and let people try it out for themselves. We learned quickly we needed large keyboards, a big mouse and a big screen to help people access the technology more easily. Workers learned right along with the people they were teaching.
'Like topsy'
'Offering computer skills training in groups with a maximum size of four in the learners own environment, the project workers soon found they had attracted 70 people. After that it grew like topsy', said Ann. 'We had our volunteers in the streets of Angus and were even taking training to people at home. BT offered us Broadband and Microsoft donated software. Soon the project was able to establish two discussion forums. In a large residential event they supported users in choosing their own project name and branding - and the name they chose was Angus Gold. From that point began the development of an Angus Gold website around local and national issues affecting their age group.'
With 40,000 over-50s in the Angus area alone, the project has been timely. They currently deal with 127 people per week but have worked with over 200 since the project went active a little over a year ago. They've made a calendar so bright and cheerful you have to smile when you look at it. And they've made a film starring their own users.
Willie and the pilot
At 82 Willie has seen a lot of life. Now visually impaired and on oxygen supply due to emphysema, Willie got involved with Angus Gold. He was so keen he showed up at one event without his oxygen tank, having obtained a 4-hour medical reprieve especially to attend. Willie laughed, I learn something new every time I come. When Willie recently agreed to move into care, the one item he insisted on taking with him was his new computer.
Another learner, a former pilot, asserted 'I was more afraid of touching that computer than I ever was flying in the first plane with radar.'
Lifeline
Digital awareness can be a lifeline, Ann told us. It literally can give a person a new lease on life. That isnt simply because of the health awareness information we offer. A carer told me she was 'gob-smacked' at the improvement in health of one of our learners after he started learning how to use a computer. The computer acted as a way for him to stay connected to the world.
New skills provide new horizons. There is a way forward, commented the wife of another user who had suffered a brain hemorrhage. We know we can still learn new things and there is a way ahead.
'But my favourite', said Ann, 'is the woman who said "I love emailing my grandson with my new laptop. Only thing is we are freezing as I have spent our heating allowance on it!"'
Learning changes the way we look at life. Sometimes it changes the way we look at ourselves. That's what Supporting People is all about.