Age Concern’s Silver Surfer Week, 10-14 September 2007
Younger
IT users are the “taste makers” responsible for swelling the ranks of
silver surfers, evidence from Age Concern suggests.
The
desire to keep in touch with the grandchildren is the catalyst spurring
many older people on to learn skills for new technology. And thousands
more are set to join them during Silver Surfer Week (10-14 September).
Ofcom recently revealed that over-65s now spend more time on the web than those aged between 18 and 24 .
According
to new Age Concern research , more than half of grandparents claim that
new technology enables them to keep in better touch with their
grandchildren than they were with their own grandparents.
Two
out of every three grandparents “talk” to their grandchildren by email,
text or mobiles. And three out of every five grandparents, whose
grandchildren live overseas, are in online contact with them. Age
Concern groups across the country have also reported a surge in
interest in digital photography and Photoshop amongst grandparents who
are keen to make the most of family snaps.
The
majority (59%) of older people who took part in last year’s Silver
Surfer Week said that they already had access to a PC at home – not so
much “try before you buy” as “buy before you try”.
Silver
Surfer Week seeks to strengthen the bond between the generations by
teaching thousands of grandparents new technology skills so they can
meet their grandchildren on home turf – just in time for Grandparent’s
Day on September 22.
During Silver Surfer Week,
absolute beginners, computer sceptics and stalwart PC enthusiasts are
all welcome to attend free byte-sized computer sessions at their
participating Age Concerns and other training venues across the
country. Age Concern’s computer trainers specialise in working with
over 65s and will let learners take things at their own pace.
Gordon
Lishman, Age Concern’s Director General said: “Most grandparents no
longer live in the same town or city as their grandchildren. The desire
to bond with their grandchildren is one of the key reasons why the over
65s are giving IT a try. Older people who want to join the fun should
put their nerves to one side and join a Silver Surfer Week event.”
For information on Silver Surfers Week sessions telephone 0800 00 99 66, or visit http://www.silversurfer.org.uk/, email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ends
Notes for Editors -
- Radio
producers: Age Concern England has spokespeople available for interview
and offers an ISDN facility. Please contact Miranda Yates, tel 020 8765
7350.
- The Department for Work and Pensions
Corporate IT team will be taking part in Silver Surfers Week, sharing
their IT expertise at the community events. The DWP's involvement is
part of their Community 5000 initiative, providing staff the
opportunity to volunteer for a day to learn first hand what issues
their customers face.
- The Digital Inclusion
Network is a membership programme (£25 annual fee) managed by Age
Concern to deliver support to organisations planning digital inclusion
projects for older people in the UK. For more information about the
Digital Inclusion Network including details on how to join, tel: 020
8765 7231 or by email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
For general enquiries please contact us.
Journalists contact:
Media contact:
Miranda Yates
Telephone:
020 8765 7350
Out of office hours:
07071 243 243
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Age Concern’s Silver Surfer Week, 10-14 September 2007
Younger
IT users are the “taste makers” responsible for swelling the ranks of
silver surfers, evidence from Age Concern suggests.
The
desire to keep in touch with the grandchildren is the catalyst spurring
many older people on to learn skills for new technology. And thousands
more are set to join them during Silver Surfer Week (10-14 September).
Ofcom recently revealed that over-65s now spend more time on the web than those aged between 18 and 24 .
According
to new Age Concern research , more than half of grandparents claim that
new technology enables them to keep in better touch with their
grandchildren than they were with their own grandparents.
Two
out of every three grandparents “talk” to their grandchildren by email,
text or mobiles. And three out of every five grandparents, whose
grandchildren live overseas, are in online contact with them. Age
Concern groups across the country have also reported a surge in
interest in digital photography and Photoshop amongst grandparents who
are keen to make the most of family snaps.
The
majority (59%) of older people who took part in last year’s Silver
Surfer Week said that they already had access to a PC at home – not so
much “try before you buy” as “buy before you try”.
Silver
Surfer Week seeks to strengthen the bond between the generations by
teaching thousands of grandparents new technology skills so they can
meet their grandchildren on home turf – just in time for Grandparent’s
Day on September 22.
During Silver Surfer Week,
absolute beginners, computer sceptics and stalwart PC enthusiasts are
all welcome to attend free byte-sized computer sessions at their
participating Age Concerns and other training venues across the
country. Age Concern’s computer trainers specialise in working with
over 65s and will let learners take things at their own pace.
Gordon
Lishman, Age Concern’s Director General said: “Most grandparents no
longer live in the same town or city as their grandchildren. The desire
to bond with their grandchildren is one of the key reasons why the over
65s are giving IT a try. Older people who want to join the fun should
put their nerves to one side and join a Silver Surfer Week event.”
For information on Silver Surfers Week sessions telephone 0800 00 99 66, or visit http://www.silversurfer.org.uk/, email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ends
Notes for Editors -
- Radio
producers: Age Concern England has spokespeople available for interview
and offers an ISDN facility. Please contact Miranda Yates, tel 020 8765
7350.
- The Department for Work and Pensions
Corporate IT team will be taking part in Silver Surfers Week, sharing
their IT expertise at the community events. The DWP's involvement is
part of their Community 5000 initiative, providing staff the
opportunity to volunteer for a day to learn first hand what issues
their customers face.
- The Digital Inclusion
Network is a membership programme (£25 annual fee) managed by Age
Concern to deliver support to organisations planning digital inclusion
projects for older people in the UK. For more information about the
Digital Inclusion Network including details on how to join, tel: 020
8765 7231 or by email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
For general enquiries please contact us.
Journalists contact:
Media contact:
Miranda Yates
Telephone:
020 8765 7350
Out of office hours:
07071 243 243
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.ageconcern.org.uk 11th September 2007
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