Tell us about your event

We sought views of volunteers and customers regarding what they thought ‘new’ people might like to see or try and advertised via web, local radio and local newspapers. We invited the Mayor of Test Valley and local MP Sir George Young along with people/organisations that have contributed to the facility. Sir George Young said: “This café is a model of what should be happening in every town in England”.

We allocated volunteer and current customers to demonstrate each of the following on differing PCs in the facility: Skype, Spring Online website, Words and Photos, Google Quiz, Genealogy, Go-On website, iPlayer; BBC Click Hobbies (Gardening/Cooking/Nature) and Springboard.

The facility was decorated with balloons etc inside and out and laminated signs indicated what was being demonstrated on each PC. The Mayor formally cut a Silver Surfers Birthday Cake and Sir George cut a ribbon in front of a screen showing our website to ‘formally’ declare it open. A laptop was also set up with a camera watching the entrance door – the output of this was connected to a projector that was displaying a picture of Piccadilly Circus with the person entering the Silver Surfer Cafe superimposed live on the Piccadilly Circus advertising hoarding.

Snacks, sandwiches, cake and drinks were available to all 110 attendees. Post the public event, a training session (Tips on Skype, Genealogy) was held for the cafe volunteers followed by a social event for the volunteers at a local hostelry.

What went well at your event?

The event went down well with everyone and many people were surprised at how easy the basic applications could be worked. The mock-up of Piccadilly Circus had some people believing our event was being transmitted live to London. Combining the event with an opportunity for getting the volunteers to mix (at both the training session and the evening social event) worked well.

What were the best stories you heard at your event?

“This is the best thing that has happened to Andover” – Noreen Snellgrove (customer) “This is an excellent facility and the staff are so friendly and helpful” Charles Kirby (93) “In the past year Cafe Volunteers undertook over 10000 hours of voluntary work and provided computer skills to nearly 600 customers from Andover, providing over 8000 training sessions.”

What advice would you give a potential event holder?

Speak with someone who has already run an event to save effort and to pick up practical tips.

What would you do with the £1,000 prize if you won?

Use the money for small regular competition prizes to attract further customers and to assist with advertising costs to obtain more customers and volunteers