Silver surfers gain IT award

Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) customers at Marston Court have taken part in a ‘Get Digital’ scheme, which has been teaching them basic IT including sending and receiving emails, searching the internet and writing letters.

Among the silver surfers was retired rail worker Ken Holford, from Yarlet Croft, which is part of Marston Court Independent Living Scheme.

 The 83-year-old had never used a computer, but now he is able to use his new skills to email his 11 children – including a daughter who has lived in Australia for 22 years.

 “Being able to stay in more regular contact with my daughter and her family in Australia via email is wonderful as she lives so far away,” he said.

 “I can’t claim to be a computer expert yet and I am looking forward to learning more from the children at St Patrick’s School who have offered to come in and teach us more.

 “My family has already brought me a new computer I can use at home and I hope to start shopping online soon as the time may come when I can’t get to the shops easily.”

SARH successfully bid for £6,000 of government funding through the project to improve the IT facilities and provide extra training for the over 55s at Marston Court and Shakespeare Road.

Sarah Wyke, Head of Independent Living for SARH, said: “Customers living in our Independent Living Schemes are really keen to learn new things and I’m delighted this project has been such a success.

 “‘Get Digital’ is just one example of the wide range of training and support we offer to our Independent Living customers to help them stay active, social and learn new skills and hobbies.”

The project was run by the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and Digital Unite.