The Digital Unite Blog

Delegates from across England will attend the innovative See IT in Action event in Bethnal Green on 6 October – getting their hands on and discussing new ways of using technology to make services better and more efficient.

The event features over 40 ‘market stalls’ demonstrating tried and tested new ways of using IT to deliver services in health, housing, social care, education and community safety; all of which are enabled by readily available IT tools and resources.

See IT in Action, supported by the City of London, Communities and Local Government, local authorities and civil society partners, provides a first-hand opportunity to see how local government is using IT projects to save money and improve service delivery day-in, day-out, demonstrating localism the Big Society not just conceptually, but in practice.

Digital Unite is featured at this conference in two interesting ways: first, our very own Pete Deadman will be running a workshop on how the Get Digital programme has worked in practice, showcasing the benefits to landlords, schemes and residents when they make the leap online; and secondly, the tension is visibly mounting because we’re due to announce the winners of the 2010 Silver Surfers’ Day Best Event.

So come and visit us on 6 October in the marketplace, and watch this space for news about who won the big prize!

The first successful schemes in Wave 1 of Get Digital are planning their programmes and starting to get to grips with their new computers.  Have a look at  here to see what some of our partners and learners have to say about the project.

Now we are busy planning Wave 2.  The application packs should be ready to download from our website in the second half of July.  In the meantime, why not book a place at one of 4 free Regional Events being held in London, Bristol, York and Birmingham, to help you to learn more about the project and how to apply?  More information is on the website and please email info@getdigital.org.uk to secure your place.

Skype employees from around the world are today volunteering to help new internet users get to grips with Skype in support of Silver Surfers’ Day in the UK.  The virtual call centre is welcoming experimental surfers to the world of Skype and encouraging people to discover how the internet can get them connected.

One silver surfer eager to learn more about the internet is Leonard Turner aged 84 from Port Talbot in Wales. Leonard contacted the virtual call centre from the ‘Skype Day’ silver surfer event being hosted by pupils at the Glan Afan Comprehensive School in Port Talbot. He wanted to find out more about Skype so that he can stay in contact with his grandson who is currently travelling around New Zealand. “My grandson Steffan has been away from home for three months now and I don’t get to talk to him very often as it is so expensive to call New Zealand. I really miss him and want to hear about his adventures, so when one of the pupils at the school told me about Skype I was excited to learn more. Arianna at Skype told me how to get started and make a video call using a web cam. I can’t wait to give it a try.”

Today is a great celebration with 1,500 Silver Surfers’ Day events to help older people get online being held across the UK today (21 May).  Information on local events is available by phoning 0800 100 900.  All events are listed at http://www.silversurfersday.net

Martha Lane Fox, UK Digital Champion commented:  ‘Four million UK adults are currently socially and digitally excluded, of which more than a third are over the age of 65.  We want to champion these individuals so that they can enjoy the benefits of being online in the next three years.  Silver Surfers’ Day is a great event that helps introduce older people to the joys of the Internet.’

Stewart Purvis, Chair of the Digital Participation Consortium and Partner, Content and Standards, Ofcom said: ‘Silver Surfers’ Day is an exciting opportunity for older people to learn about going online and for regular Internet users to share their knowledge.  The Internet offers something for everybody, regardless of their age, and Silver Surfers’ Day is a great way for Digital Participation Consortium members to work together to support older people on their digital journeys and to help them make the most of the online world.’

At the age of 93, Dame Vera Lynn is embracing technology and encouraging everyone to have a go on Silver Surfers’ Day 2010 – Friday 21st May.

Attend a Silver Surfers’ Day event and you will be able to listen to Dame Vera’s new album online – and maybe even learn how to download it yourself!

Find an event in your area by clicking here or make a free phone call to 0800 100 900.

And find out what else Dame Vera and her daughter Virginia  have to say on YouTube here

There will be a free Regional Event in Bristol on Monday 10th May for everyone interested in finding out more about the Get Digital programme, particularly those in the West/South West region.

Please see here for more information and if you would like to attend, send an email to info@getdigital.org.uk

Learn with Grandma is a not for profit company that arranges free intergenerational learning days in Wales that are full of fun activities for the whole family.

The activities last year were extremely varied, ranging from Nordic Walking to Knitting and everything inbetween – except using a computer!

They would love to include some IT related activities, so if you are involved in a local Silver Surfer group, why not book a space and go along and tell people about it?   It’s completely free unless you need to hire a table.

This years’ dates are 13th August at the National Botanic Gardens and 18th August at the Margam Country Park.  For more information contact Val Woodgaiger at valwoodgaiger@aol.com

Applications are now invited from sheltered housing schemes and social landlords in the East, East Midlands, West Midlands and South West regions to the Get Digital programme.  For more information including extended deadline dates click here

We are holding a free Regional Event in Peterborough on Tuesday 13th April for anyone interested in finding out more about Get Digital.  To apply for a place, please send an email, by 5pm on Friday 9th April to info@getdigital.org.uk

If you are a Radio 2 listener, you will have already heard that their Get Connected campaign launched yesterday. The aim of the campaign is to help more of their listeners get online and understand digital technology better. Many Radio 2 shows will be involved throughout the whole of March and there are lots of tips on their website from presenters such as Terry Wogan. You can also phone 08000 150 950 and they’ll send you a booklet.
There’s more here.

In November, 12 residents from “Johnnie” Johnson retirement scheme Woolsington Court in Bedlington, Northumberland, learnt about computers and the internet onboard Northumberland College’s IT bus, which parked up next to their scheme.

There was a sense of anticipation as residents entered the IT bus and sat down to begin their class. For most this was the first time they had been on a computer. Within half an hour they were surfing the net!

Afterwards, residents were proud of their new found skills. One said ‘This is fantastic! It’s the first time I’ve been on the internet. I finally know what it’s all about.’
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