Libraries, clubs and community organisations across the country are supporting the campaign offering older people the opportunity to join classes, showing them how to go online and get the most from the internet.
The Scottish Government held the re-launch of their ‘Let’s Get Online’ campaign at Westerhailes Library. The campaign is being run in partnership with organisations from the public and volunteer sector under the overall Digital Scotland brand.
Scottish Govt minister Jeane Freeman was joined by TV celebrity Carol Smillie at Westerhailes Library to meet with a group of recent learners from the Libraries’ ‘Get Online’ service and they enjoyed a very positive chat about the benefits of the course they had attended and the things they are now able to do online (including email, Skype and shopping).
The Libraries ‘Get Online’ courses have groups at libraries across the city where learners receive 1:1 support on their own device. Groups run for two-hourly slots each week for five weeks and training is delivered by volunteers some of whom were present at the ‘Let’s Get On’ launch.
There was general agreement that taking up new technology and being able to use the internet are more important than ever for older people to remain in touch with family, friends and the world in general, but also not to be left out of the other considerable benefits to be gained from being online.
If you are interested in getting help with computing find a course near you at the ‘Let’s Get On’ website. Or contact Kenny Sharkey regarding groups run by the Library ‘Get Online’ service – tel: 07809 320432 or email: kenneth.sharkey@edinburgh.gov.uk
Tales of One City 