Celebrating our success

On Friday I was invited to the "Tea-time treat" at Johnson House, Longhoughton. This is a regularly monthly event attended by neighbours and friends as well as residents. This month, as well as the usual bingo, we celebrated the success of the Get Digital programme at Johnson House.

Since October I've been working with a small group of residents and local people showing them the wonders of the internet and the benefits of going online. One of the learners already had a netbook and was familiar with using Skype to speak with her family abroad. She was kind enough to help me demonstrate it to other learners and they quickly saw the benefits. Gladys was soon making regular calls to her daughter in Canada and grandson in France. Other residents are interested in researching their family trees and we've been treated to some great talks by Anne Newberry Local Studies Librarian at Northumberland Archives.

At Friday's event Housing Manager, Bruce Dixon, described how Johnnie Johnson Housing is using Johnson House as a shining example to many of their other housing schemes where computer equipment is lying idle.

Special guests at the event were children from Longhoughton C of E First School. The children, and their headteacher, visit Johnson House once a fortnight to help and encourage the learners. Recently they have helped with online shopping, sending e-mails and digital photography. Both the children and the residents have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

I handed out certificates to all of the learners to acknowledge their participation in the programme and John Whitbread, manager at Johnson House, explained that the residents will be putting together a video to celebrate Spring Online in May. In the video they'll showcase the skills they've learnt in the last few months - searching the web, e-mail and shopping online.

Although only a small rural sheltered housing scheme the residents of Johnson House have really embraced Get Digital. Long may it continue!!!