Everyone's Getting Enthused

This week I've visited two more sheltered housing schemes where I'll be running Get Digital projects - Woodridge Gardens in Washington and Nellie Gormley House in North Tyneside.

The first stage of any of these projects is to meet with potential learners and help them "get enthused" - that is learn about the project and be excited about the possibilities. I was thrilled to meet with a number of enthusiastic residents at both schemes. All the schemes are different and at Woodridge Gardens almost everyone who came along to the coffee morning had very little experience of using computers - but were excited by the opportunities available to them. Everyone is very keen to keep in touch with family and friends and we talked about the benefits of e-mail and Skype.

Naturally people are a little nervous about learning something new but one resident told me: "I look at you, and I think, if she can do it, so can I!" Clearly a determined lady she's not going to be put off by her wheelchair and poor health. Another is determined to fit in computer lessons around her hospital appointments.

At Nellie Gormley House they've been lucky enough to have had training from Age UK in the past and one or two people went on to buy their own laptop or netbook. So they've a better idea about how they want to improve their skills in various areas. One gentleman is keen to do some digital photography; a lady is skilled in crafting and is wondering about the possibilities of selling her hand-made goods online. One man did confess to being a complete beginner: "My five-year-old grandson is on the computer all the time, I want to understand what he's talking about!"

So, lots of excited people, including the tutor! Roll on the New Year when we can start the lessons.