The Digital Unite Blog

Congratulations to Southampton City Council Supported Housing, Joint Runner Up of the 2010 Silver Surfers’ Day Best Event award.

When/where was event held?

Sheltered Housing schemes in Southampton, May 2010.

What did you do?

Our sessions were well received because of the hard work of Activity Coordinators, SCC Adult Ed: IT consultant, volunteers from other departments (thanks to Managers who agreed) Sheltered Housing Staff, our Silver Surfer volunteers and mentors, Solent Youth Action, Mayfield Academy, Catch 22 and everyone who made it so successful and helping us with intergenerational cohesion. There was so much sheer enthusiasm, inspiration and community spirit. If laughter were fuel we lit up the City!

We linked up computers in 10 Sheltered Housing Schemes with web cams in the local school and library. Web cams were donated by Adult Education services. Staff used lap tops at 3 other Courts so they too could join in. It was a huge success and we’ll definitely do it again.

How many people participated?

60 people in over ten locations simultaneously

Do you have any event stories?

Absolutely! Ray a resident in his 80s who is profoundly deaf was supported by a 19 year old volunteer and learned how to use a mouse by one of the online exercises recommended. Well, for someone who was reluctant to “have a go” we could not get him off! Everyone agreed it was a very moving sight, his wife was in tears of joy and laughter! What moved staff was the patience shown by the youngster from a Youth group who was helping. In fact all the youngsters who came along made us proud of younger people in our City. We held a “Link Up” session between sheltered housing communal sites, a School and Library, so that people could see other people via the linked-up webcams. Well – the faces being pulled were hilarious! Senior Surfers saw friends and family members: one lady was able to see her sister who had been unwell; it was really touching.

What have you taken away from the day?

Cooperation and mutual support with sheltered housing staff, volunteers and surfers! The dynamic was inspiring and motivational. Seeing the joy, fascination and pleasure on faces!  We have inspired groups of older residents to develop a shopping group, offering choice to those who can’t get to many shops, this means social inclusion. Welfare Rights, Benefits and Pensions staff will come along and show how easy it is to check information on line to help ensure older people receive the right benefits.

We’re now also involved with Admiral Nurses who are the leading experts in dementia and we’re helping to educate and support those who care themselves. Similarly, Uni students studying dementia can now use online surveys for sufferers who are willing to have their dementia monitored. This is a huge step forward to contributing to generic understanding of this growing issue.

Yes, changing lives for the better is happening via the internet for many Silver Surfers including staff! Many of us were technophobes…luddites almost and many of us have been enlightened. So thanks for that too!

Contact: Bev Weir, Southampton City Council Supported Housing

For information about all the winners, click here.

October 6th, 2010 judithgraham | 3 Comments »

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