Tell us about your event

Working with the local library, we were given the full use of the library in Witney to hold a Silver Surfers Day event for around 150 people from 10am-6pm on the 20th May. We had six computers from which we ran hourly beginners sessions throughout the day, one corner had a Wii and screen set up, a local computer (technical) business made use of half the children’s corner to run a drop in advice service and a drop in mobile phone clinic took up the other part.

A selection of computer books and literature was set up for ease and all were welcomed at the door with an information and advice stand. A large table creaking under home-made cakes, party food and tea and coffee was open to all to take time out of their busy days. Helpers wore party hats so that they were more easily identifiable and the whole day had a relaxed and happy feel about it.

The event was targeted at those aged 50+ and involved working with a local primary school (Yr6/ aged 10 years old), local 6th formers (aged 16 and 17 years) not to mention two local businesses and the library. We even ended up including some toddlers who had popped into the library to read a book but who found the lure of chocolate cake just too strong to resist!

What went well?

Wow! We opened the doors at 10am and finally closed down at 6pm that evening having served countless cups of tea and coffee, not to mention eaten through plates of homemade cakes and vol-au-vents. The library was decked out with bunting and balloons and all who came through the door received a ‘party bag’ of goodies. Over 150 people had walked through the doors of the library and all left with a smile on their faces, we had made a difference to them!

The local primary school Year 6 children had popped along to give one-to-one advice on any mobile phone problems that people were experiencing, from the lady who had accidently locked her phone and just needed help to unlock it, to the gentleman who was finding his ring-tone really rather annoying and was so relieved to find that he could change it to one he preferred! These same 10 year olds also managed to prise their hand off the controllers for long enough for the ‘oldies’ to have a go at playing on the Wii. To hear the happy cheers that bubbled up from the corner of the library at the end of a race or competition just bought a smile to everyone’s faces.

The children were joined and supported by some local 6th formers whose knowledge was put to good use within the hourly computer classes that ran throughout the day and who also got stuck in with the Wii as well as making countless cups of tea and coffee. It was a pleasure to watch these youngsters not only helping the ‘oldies’ but also just sitting and nattering with all they met.

A local computer firm ‘systems and solutions’ set up in another corner and swiftly disappeared under the weight of older people asking for practical, technical advice about their computers, internet access, how to go about buying a computer not to mention what gadgets were available to assist a registered blind lady to access the computer. Having asked them prior to the event if they had any flyers that I could distribute on their behalf they had re-looked at their provision, formalised it in terms of the older person and created a folded leaflet entitled ‘Sage’. Another local business provided 12 members of staff during the afternoon to help man the computer classes, provide mobile phone support and teach people the Wii. They arrived dressed in smart black t-shirts and within minutes had just fitted in, many of them staying longer than they’d initially intended, all leaving with smiles on their faces and saying just how much fun they had had.

Surrounding all this was a team of special helpers; older people who themselves had been nervous about computers but who had attended a course or event held during the previous year by Age UK Oxfordshire. They manned the door with a smile and a welcome to all who came in, many of whom arrived ‘just to change a book’ but who went home with leaflets, the chance to have been chatted to not to mention a coffee and some cake. One arrived at 9.45 for her hour slot and at 3.15 apologised that she was leaving but her feet had now started to swell!

What would you have done differently?

I had booked hourly computer sessions back to back throughout the day, for future events I need to factor in a 10 min changeover because the people doing the lessons didn’t want to stop and those next on the list were arriving early as they were so keen. This meant that those of us helping on these sessions didn’t get a chance to stop!

What were the best stories you heard that day?

“It has been such a pleasure for us to stand and watch the library being alive and buzzing with fun and laughter…this is what a library should be like.” (library staff)

“So many people have signed on to join the library today, having enjoyed their day.” (library staff)

The primary school head had enjoyed the day so much that she “wondered whether we could work together to provide a regular monthly drop-in clinic for the local community for those that are having problems with their mobile phones?”

“I only popped in to change my books and now I’ve ended up playing on the Wii with some lovely young people!” (82yr old)

“Now I know how to use a computer I am thinking about getting a Wii so that I can do some keep fit on it…If I can work out how to use a computer I’m sure I can work out how to plug a Wii into my television!” (81yr old)

“I can only stay for 10 minutes…I was having so much fun I couldn’t tear myself away!” (68yr old)

“’Having done one of the taster sessions on the computer I’ve popped home and brought my friend with me, she’s profoundly deaf and desperate to use a computer and I just knew that you would be able to help her”. (74yr old)

“It’s brightened our day” (an older couple who don’t get out much and said they’d been looking forward to the event for a while and hadn’t been disappointed)

“Do you think I should tell her I was a crack shot in the RAF back in India?” (a 78yr old man in a wheelchair who could only see out of one eye, was playing a shooting game on the Wii with one of the helpers who had assumed he wouldn’t be any good as he was so old and was very surprised that he had done so well!)

“Thank you for helping me set up an e-mail address, I can now keep in contact with my family in New Zealand” (78yr old)

“I just thought I’d pop in and let you know that having attended last years’ SSD event I have now got a Facebook account, I’ve got 37 friends!” (74yr old gentleman)

What advice would you give to other potential event holders?

All you need is passion and enthusiasm and by starting small you can make an amazing difference to another person’s life. You’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a go and so much to gain. If you think about the person you are targeting your event will be a success and you will make a difference.