- Jun 8, 2011
- by katharineteed
- Stories
- 11 Comments »
Tell us about your event
Basically 11 volunteers (most were ‘older’ people) with laptops showed visitors a range of activities that people do online: Google, Wikipedia, Age UK, eBay, YouTube, housing support, BBC iPlayer, email, Skype, finding and booking coach and trains, shopping online, Google Earth, househunting, solving crosswords, family history, healthtalkonline etc.
The idea and encouragement to hold an event came from the District Council’s facilitator for the Quality of Life for Older People network which is part of the Local Strategic Partnership.
We (Louth and District Seniors’ Forum) ran a Silver Surfers’ Day in 2009 and were approached. Five people (two volunteers and three paid workers) from five organisations (CAB, Police, Parish Church, District Council, Seniors’ Forum) met three times. We also involved the Louth University of the Third Age (Louth U3A).
On the day, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm, we were located around the large foyer area of a community centre which was hosting a Fish on Fridays’ luncheon for older people – a regular event. Each volunteer worked in the main ‘one to one’ with each visitor. Each volunteer had chosen to demonstrate one or two main things they would do online: something they did often or found most useful.
The main activity was displayed on pillars and such like above or near each ‘station’. We had decided to feel free to be flexible yet get the balance right by being sensitive to the need for visitors to have a number of experiences with a number of different volunteers. Two members of the Seniors’ Forum ensured that volunteers and visitors had cups of tea and they did this most helpfully. A community worker for the Church and a District Council worker were directing and welcoming people. Most volunteers and many visitors stayed for fish and chips, joining the regular luncheon event for older people.
What went well?
When we asked what people found most interesting, there was a wide selection of answers but the one mentioned most often was Skype. We had two set ups for Skype. One volunteer had arranged with his mother in South Africa and another relative (also in South Africa) to call them up and this proved a brilliant success. People chatted to this elderly lady who herself was not very confident with IT. It was a big hit. Another set up involved someone in another room with a backdrop of a Caribbean Island scene to make the communication more realistic.
Other things that went well were the flow of visitors into the event right from the very start, the diversity of the people who came and the part that non-demonstrators played in ensuring smooth movement between ‘stations’ not to mention the volunteers who were passionate about doing this on the day. Visitors all seemed positive and happy with their experience. In feedback forms all answered ‘yes’ to “Did you see or find out anything new online today?” and all comments were favourable.
What would you have done differently?
The busy buzz surrounding the activities created some noise and at one (then later at two) ‘stations’ we had Skype (without headphones!) so I guess headphones would be a must next time and possibly slightly more screening with partitions; perhaps part notice boards. Those who now experience some loss of hearing found it difficult but were very quick to point out that it was a minor aspect of the event in comparison to the good.
What advice would you give to other potential event holders?
Go for it! It is incredibly rewarding. The buzz of sharing skills is infectious. Go with the passions people already have for what they think is worth sharing – what do they use the internet for. If you have several volunteers (especially older people themselves) you will most likely get a pretty good range of interesting and relevant topics to share with those who have never or seldom gone online. There is no need to cover everything – just give an insight into what is out there in this new world that some people have never seen. Showing someone things online that they could never have dreamed of seeing is a great feeling for the volunteer as well as a whole new experience for the visitor. Your role is not to persuade someone they should get a computer but just to show what you can do online and (maybe) how it can help and benefit you with things in life
What would you do with the £1,000 prize money if you won?
As a result of feedback from the event we ran, we know that people felt that the thing that would most help them go online would be “a little help and support to go online”. In this rural market town, this is not something that is available. We would use the £1,000 to provide regular ‘supported’ sessions for older people. We would rent the room and (appropriately maintained) laptops and have identified two possible venues which may be able to provide what we would require. The money would be used to pay for the hire of room and equipment (and possibly an IT trainer or support worker to act in a supporting role rather than in a training role).
11 Comments
10:45 am
Jill Scott
The ‘Fish on Friday’ event was a great success, and it would be fantastic if you could organise some more – obviously much needed, events.
10:46 am
David Judd
I was one of the oldies who volunteered to show folks the things I did online. I demonstrated Ebay and Youtube etc. What the write up says here is correct. People enjoyed it lots and the time went too quick. Providing this opportunity for the Seniors would give them more confidence – afterall, most of them have Sons and Daughters living abroad and to keep in touch with the grand children would take away the lonliness of waiting for the postman!
12:01 pm
PCSO ZaZa Warren
I was also involved in this event – the hidden person assisting with Skype! The event was very successful, the volunteers were also able to show the Lincolnshire Police website, where local residents can find out who their local Police Officers are, names and pictures and local priorities. There is a lot of information available via the internet for all organisations and this event gave older people the chance to access this and learn how to gain access in the future using resources such as the library.
6:59 pm
Mary Finch
A great event, much needed by me. The event has given me the confidence I lacked, lots of information available to help organisations participate and find out things for themselves regarding local activities. I am on quite a few local committees and will feel much more confident with computing in the future. More for the older generation please.
3:03 pm
Bob Syrett
I showed people how to look at timetables, book, and if necessary pay for, both coach and train journeys. Most were surprised how easy it was and one lady found that a regular long journey was not only cheaper by coach than car but that long car journeys were becoming a worry.
1:36 pm
Morag Judd
Just been thinking how well we worked together – not just at the organising stage but also on the day itself. Organisers – part of the Awareness and Engagement Delivery Group of the Quality of Life for Older People Specialist Network:- Team Parish of Louth, Lincolnshire Police Engagement Officer, East Lindsey Citizens Advice Bureau, East Lindsey Local Strategic Partnership as well as ourselves but then on the day itself, folks from another five groups or organisations were involved – most people giving their time and skills as volunteers:- Louth U3A, East Lindsey Housing Support, Age UK Lindsey, Trinity Centre administrator, Fish on Friday volunteers, not forgetting relatives of those volunteering! Hope I haven’t missed anyone out! Thanks all
8:52 am
Sharon Jack
The enthusiasm demonstrated by the partners/volunteers to run this event was match by the visitors who came along and just wanted to have a go. The atmosphere was really relaxed with people looking at Google earth, ancestry and price comparison web sites the star of the day was the Skype link ups – one person even brought in his own lap top for someone to show him how to do back ups!
This has identified a real need for more opportunities for older people to access the internet in a comfortable environment amongst their peers.
Well done to all who supported this event.
10:09 am
John Medler
A great example of local community organisations, volunteers and service providers joining forces to help deliver an event that supports a recognised community need and helped older people to get online. The feedback clearly demonstrates that participants enjoyed the event, learnt new online skills and feel more confident of using computers & the Internet. Congratulations to all concerned with the success of the event.
6:33 pm
VERA WILLIAMSON
When you’re in your later years, you need people more, to help you to understand what to do when you try to use a computer. The whole atmosphere at Silver Surfers Day was friendly and helpful and you were not rushed in anyway. Everyone was gentle and understanding.
My sister told me she was shown where she used to live and could see it quite clearly. This meant a lot to her.
7:52 pm
Katy Roberts
Well done to all the volunteers and participants on the Silver Surfer event in Louth. It really sounds like it was an excellent example of partnership working in action. This event has proved its worth and identified a need – I wish you all the best in ensuring that this is a springboard to future supported sessions for older people.
6:35 pm
Marjorie Barnes
When people came in, we directed them to an empty space alongside one of the volunteers and made sure everyone had a cup of tea, which was, of course, very important! Unfortunately it was our loss that we didn’t give opportunity to the ‘laptop’ volunteers to relate to us the numerous tales that I’m sure many of them heard in connection to the visitors’ experiences.