Residents court silver surfing

Residents at Leslie Loader Court in Eastleigh have been taking part in a four-week Introduction to Computers course, as part of a Radian project to encourage older residents to get online.

Scheme Manager, Joyce Marsh, approached Radian as a number of residents had expressed an interest in learning more about computers. Eight residents have been taking part in the weekly sessions, learning basic computer skills and eventually moving on to email and the internet itself. For some it has reignited a past interest in computers or memories of using typewriters.

Residents are keen to reap the benefits of using the internet – some have family abroad they would like to keep in touch with, while others want to start shopping online. It is hoped that the course will be rolled out to other sheltered schemes, so that more residents can appreciate the benefits of silver surfing.