Article in SNJ 19th March regarding the Internet Safety Day sponsored by Gloucestershire Police.
A lot of people saw this article and have contacted me since regarding Anti Virus, making payments online, and having their email accounts hacked. Many of them have had problems with their Hotmail and Yahoo accounts and have since learned how to migrate their accounts to a more secure option.
This article appeared in the Stroud News and Journal on the 17th October, the Nailsworth News on 2nd November and is included in the Cotswold Directory. Click this link - Press coverage page if you would like to print the article to give to someone who needs the details.
Helping older people get online in the Stroud district
Computer training whizz Melissa Briggs is working with the NHS and others to help older people living in rural areas around Stroud learn online skills. “There are so many older people living isolated lives who, if they had the confidence to use email or the internet, could, for example, stay in touch with friends and family, order prescriptions, play Scrabble or research their family tree or local history,” said Melissa, from Ebley.
“Isolation can lead to depression, especially if you are stuck at home with a physical disability, and unable to use our patchy rural bus services. The Government expects people to do everything online these days – even the telephone Benefit Enquiry Line has closed - but this means people are dependent on others to do routine tasks like paying bills for them.”
Melissa, of Stroud Computer Training, has developed a training plan for older people. She is now working with the NHS to get funding for the scheme, and to set up a referral system via GPs and Community Psychiatric Nurses. She is also talking to local councils and charities about additional support. “I’ve been delighted at the support I’ve had so far – I’m also approaching Stroud businesses to sponsor a tablet computer to help those who can’t afford them have an opportunity which could be life changing,” said Melissa. “For a lot of older people, especially those with arthritis, a tablet (such as an iPad) is much easier to use than a laptop.”
Susanna Kenney, aged 74, from Nailsworth is a new convert to using a tablet computer – thanks to Melissa.
Said Susanna: “I chose an iPad because I wanted to be able to use it anywhere and with a laptop you really need a table to put it on; I can even take this to bed with me and use it! It took a short while to get used to using my forefinger and tapping on the screen – but it’s much easier for me than a keyboard as I suffer from arthritis. Melissa was very encouraging, very positive and I soon got the hang of it. I search the internet on it, I buy books online and I do research; it’s all very easy and straightforward. I’ve even had some book reviews published! Being able to email friends really helps keep me in touch.”
Lesley Hirons, a Gloucestershire NHS Employment Specialist committed to social inclusion, said: “I can see the validity and need for IT support, especially for those who are socially isolated by disability. “It is much more convenient to learn how to keep in touch with friends, shop online, research and play games, in the security of your own home. Access to easy-to-use IT, with expert and non-threatening individual support, can reduce isolation and really improve the individual’s quality of life.”
For more information, contact Melissa Briggs 07788 985764.
Computer training whizz Melissa Briggs is working with the NHS and others to help older people living in rural areas around Stroud learn online skills. “There are so many older people living isolated lives who, if they had the confidence to use email or the internet, could, for example, stay in touch with friends and family, order prescriptions, play Scrabble or research their family tree or local history,” said Melissa, from Ebley.
“Isolation can lead to depression, especially if you are stuck at home with a physical disability, and unable to use our patchy rural bus services. The Government expects people to do everything online these days – even the telephone Benefit Enquiry Line has closed - but this means people are dependent on others to do routine tasks like paying bills for them.”
Melissa, of Stroud Computer Training, has developed a training plan for older people. She is now working with the NHS to get funding for the scheme, and to set up a referral system via GPs and Community Psychiatric Nurses. She is also talking to local councils and charities about additional support. “I’ve been delighted at the support I’ve had so far – I’m also approaching Stroud businesses to sponsor a tablet computer to help those who can’t afford them have an opportunity which could be life changing,” said Melissa. “For a lot of older people, especially those with arthritis, a tablet (such as an iPad) is much easier to use than a laptop.”
Susanna Kenney, aged 74, from Nailsworth is a new convert to using a tablet computer – thanks to Melissa.
Said Susanna: “I chose an iPad because I wanted to be able to use it anywhere and with a laptop you really need a table to put it on; I can even take this to bed with me and use it! It took a short while to get used to using my forefinger and tapping on the screen – but it’s much easier for me than a keyboard as I suffer from arthritis. Melissa was very encouraging, very positive and I soon got the hang of it. I search the internet on it, I buy books online and I do research; it’s all very easy and straightforward. I’ve even had some book reviews published! Being able to email friends really helps keep me in touch.”
Lesley Hirons, a Gloucestershire NHS Employment Specialist committed to social inclusion, said: “I can see the validity and need for IT support, especially for those who are socially isolated by disability. “It is much more convenient to learn how to keep in touch with friends, shop online, research and play games, in the security of your own home. Access to easy-to-use IT, with expert and non-threatening individual support, can reduce isolation and really improve the individual’s quality of life.”
For more information, contact Melissa Briggs 07788 985764.
SCT featured on Stroud FM Radio
Beth Whittaker of Viva Communications, Christina Snell CEO of Age UK Gloucestershire and Melissa Briggs discussing the merits of various tablets after recording a joint interview about Rural Isolation on Stroud FM Swan feature, Wednesday 30th October. The interview covered the problems concerning the thousands of elderly isolated people, often over 75 and living alone, whose ability to get online is hampered by lack of knowledge, mobility and health issues. Now that all government services are transferring online by 2020 this raises some serious problems for those not yet even on broadband.
One question that we covered off air - when is a tablet a phablet? Answer when it is a phone and a small tablet all in one. However, holding it to your ear can be tricky!
One question that we covered off air - when is a tablet a phablet? Answer when it is a phone and a small tablet all in one. However, holding it to your ear can be tricky!