The clock was turned back more than four decades for two local women thanks to a chance encounter at a computer course organised by Coastline Housing.

Sylvia Symons, a resident at Coastline’s Veor House and Joan Petherick who also lives in Camborne were attending an award ceremony to recognise their achievements on a computing course when they recognised each other as old work colleagues.

Both Sylvia and Joan, who had worked together as medical secretaries at the former Barncoose hospital in Redruth, hadn’t seen each other for 43 years.

 

Said Sylvia: “We are delighted that Coastline has brought us back together and we certainly plan on staying in touch this time as we have a lot of catching up to do.”

Joan and Sylvia were just two of 11 people who successfully completed a six week introduction to computing course made possible by local social housing provider, Coastline and organised and funded by Get Digital and the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.

 

The course is part of a wider initiative by Coastline to encourage and enable more of its residents to get online. The organisation is planning to install internet cafés in four of its sheltered housing schemes.

Beth Lawton, Coastline’s Head of ICT, who is championing the move to increase internet access for customers, said: “We know from our research that very few of our customers are online in any way, shape or form. Traditionally, older people are the ones least likely to engage in the internet. The cafés are not just about accessing the internet, we also have Nintendo Wiis and digital cameras to encourage people to get involved.”

 

The internet cafés have been made possible with a grant from Get Digital www.getdigital.org.uk, which is also providing specialist tutors to run activities and provide training.

Coastline’s first internet café was opened two years ago in Hens Horn Court, Helston, after the company won a competition run by Digital Unite. Miners Court, Redruth the first of three similar cafés planned was opened towards the end of last year, along with Veor House in Camborne. Trelawney Court, Camborne will follow later this year.

 

Jacklyn Williams is the Get Digital tutor who has been running the Get Learning programme at Veor House. She is delighted at the response she has received.

“The course has gone very well. Everyone has been extremely positive and enthusiastic, even going away from the sessions and doing homework. Some people on the course had never even switched on a computer before and now they are

embracing new technology and learning and developing new skills.”

 

As well as the computers, other equipment available includes a printer, projector and screen, digital camera and a web cam. The residents have been using the facilities in a variety of ways from producing posters and cards to taking and uploading photos, sending emails and speaking with family and friends throughout the world using the webcam.

Joan Petherick, who is shortly to celebrate her 80th birthday, wanted to be able to keep in touch with her son and family who live in Ghana. She confesses she needs to get up to date with technology.

 

“Although I’m a fluent typist, I need to learn how to use the latest computer equipment. I’ve got an enquiring mind and am very keen to learn new things. I’m simply not willing to vegetate.”

Chairman of Veor Residents Association, John Gessey already has his own laptop but wanted to learn how to transfer photos to a memory stick and to use the webcam. He says the course has been extremely worthwhile.

 

“Jacklyn the tutor is particularly good and has lots of patience with us. I’m really looking forward to speaking with family in Singapore and New Zealand.”

 

Resident Sylvia Symons also has a computer but wanted to get more conversant with different programmes. She has now discovered a brand new hobby, producing her own range of greetings cards for different occasions. She says:

“My family are delighted that I’m learning new things and my grandchildren tell me they’re dragging me into the 21st century!”

Brushing up on lapsed skills was the order of the day for Jean Jenkin who has taken several computer courses before. She is now producing posters for coffee mornings and other events. But, as Jean says, the course has proved to be about much more than just acquiring new skills.

“As Joan and Sylvia’s experiences shows, this course has been an excellent way of getting to know people from the wider community. I can’t wait for the next stage of the course.”

A further phase of funding has been secured, with more computers and a digital SLR camera ordered. A follow up six week course is due to start immediately.