Getting Personally Connected

Getting Personally Connected

The impact that the Internet has had on the lives of societies and individuals is immense and the effects, both good and bad, are still being assessed. The ease with which many people, especially young people, master the ever changing technology is astounding. For many older people however, it can all seem a bit of a mystery and they become increasingly disconnected.

It does seem likely that so much more of life will be conducted on-line and the Council, both at Borough and Parish level, is concerned that older people do not get left too far behind and unable to easily access the services they need.

The Community Centre is delighted to be able to host a new, free service offered by the charity Rural Community Services West Cheshire called GoOnLine, starting in mid May that will directly address this problem.

Rural Community Services run a number of day centres for older residents, called Opal Clubs, that provide support for the more frail and isolated members of rural villages. A number of Tarvin residents go the Tarporley OPAL Club. The initiative to provide IT training has grown out of these clubs, but GoOnLine is open to any older person who would like to learn more about computers and the internet.

The service, which is funded by CW&C, relies heavily on volunteers sharing their knowledge and expertise. Though the service will have its own equipment, there will be an opportunity for those attending to bring along their own tablets and laptops so that the instruction offered will be personal to both the individual and the equipment!

To work well in Tarvin GoOnLine will need volunteers and the organiser, Jean Toyn, would be delighted to hear from anyone who feels that they can help. She can be contacted on 07563 156 220 or at jean.toyn@rcswc.org.uk. Though the service is intended for older people there is certainly no age limit on the volunteers. If you have the knowledge and the time you will be very welcome to come and share these with others.

The sessions will run from 2 hours from 10.00am to noon and will be fortnightly. They are free of charge and refreshments will be available.

So the opportunity will soon be available for you to do more than just gaze on the internet with wonder, but to explore and use its many incredible facilities. Who knows, before long you may be tweeting, trending, blogging and skyping..........