Pupils will become teachers when they turn the tables to share
computer skills with a party of mature novices in Walsall.
Youngsters at Frank F Harrison Engineering College will welcome
people aged over 50 into their Bloxwich secondary school on Friday,
20th May. whg colleagues will be on hand to support pupils
during the day.
The event has been organised by whg, the largest provider of
affordable homes for rent in Walsall, to mark the annual silver
surfers' day, a national campaign to promote the use of digital
technologies by older people.
It is one of a series of free activities being hosted by whg
across the borough on Friday to introduce people to the practical
and social opportunities available through the internet.
Statistics show one in five people aged 55 to 64 have never used
the internet and this rises to three in five for the 65+ age group.
In all, nine million adults have never logged on.
Project co-ordinator Jayne Cooper said she was keen to involve
local young people as they were the real experts in the field.
Jayne, Manager of whg's Older Peoples Services Team, said: "The
other benefit in bringing different age groups together is that it
helps to break down barriers and misconceptions. In my experience
they are always really successful, positive events and I'm sure
Friday's will be no different."
There will be a morning and afternoon session at the school and
pupils, aged 13 and 14, have designed invitations and posters to
attract guests. The teenage teachers will start the lesson by
finding out the level of their students' IT knowledge and will
tailor their one-to-one tutoring accordingly.
The silver surfers will be given virtual tours of landmarks like
10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace, shown how to do their
weekly food shop online and how to keep in touch with friends and
family using email and Skype.
whg colleagues will work with partner organisations to deliver
the other sessions. A full list of the drop-in sessions taking
place on Friday is as follows:
• Frank F Harrison Engineering College, Leamore Lane,
Walsall WS2 7NR: 9.15-11.30am and 1.30-3pm
• Old Hall People's Partnership Wing Close, Bentley, WS2
0LS: 10am-12pm and 1-3pm
• Age UK, Bridge House, 47-45 Bridge Street, Walsall WS1
1JQ: 10am-12pm and 1-3pm
• Young Person's Information Centre. 212 Ingram Road,
Blakenall, WS3 3AD: 4-7pm
• Moxley People's Centre, 3 Queen Street, Moxley, WS10 8TA:
10am-12pm and 1-3pm
• Tameway Tower, Bridge Street, Walsall, WS1 1JZ: 10am-12pm
and 1-3pm
All the sessions are free to attend but people are advised to
book as spaces are limited. Contact whg's Older Peoples Services
Team on 0300 555 6666 to reserve a place and for further
details.