This is a service for Hackney ‘midlifers’ – people in the pre-retirement age range 50 to 64. We provide free training and access to the online world, and almost anything else that has ‘digital’
in its name. So it's not just about computers – it's also about mobile phones, digital cameras, digital
radio, digital TV, digital video, the World Wide Web, email, Skype and much more – but mainly it's about how
you can use the virtual world of digital technology and media to enhance the real world you already know so well.
If you are new to this sort of thing, you might want to begin by looking at some of these pages first …
Past activities (things you did, or things you could have done if only you had known).
If you are not a Hackney midlifer (50 to 64), there are alternative activities at Hackney Silver Surfers, which is also based at The Lawns computer centre. Remember though, that partners and carers of Hackney midlifers are welcome at the Agewell Social Network.
By the way – most of this page is underneath this section – scroll down to see it all …
Look after the pennies.
Online information about personal finance for older people – where to find it, and how to use it.
Monday 24 June and 8 July (2 to 5 pm).
This will be a really good opportunity to learn about Internet sites that help you manage your money – and at the same time, you will help researchers evaluate a new online course developed especially for older people.
The new course is ‘Look after the pennies’. It’s part of the UK Online Centres ‘Learn My Way’ package. There are four sections: Fixing a budget, Getting more money, Spending less, Staying money safe online.
Course learners will also have access to all Age UK guides and fact sheets about personal finance, and we will give you free printed copies of the most important.
The course will take place at the Age UK Hackney computer centre: 52 The Lawns, Matthias Rd, N16 8QD
There are only 12 places available!
If you would like to join the course, please send an email to pennies@lawns.org.uk (or talk to one of our tutors).
A few weeks ago, volunteers Neil and Renée had a brilliant idea. The smartboard screen in the computer centre looks a bit like a home cinema screen – so why not show films on it?
So that is what we are going to do. Results of our technical tests show that black-and-white films (not necessarily old films, just B&W) look best on the screen. Picture and sound quality are very good, even from the back row.
The working title of this project is the ‘Once Seen Never Forgotten Monthly Free B&W Film Club’ (suggestions for a snappier title will be considered).
The premiere film will be Top Hat – a prewar classic, which we will show on Wednesday 26 June at 4 pm (we will open the door at 3:45 pm so you have time to settle down).
The second film (to be shown on Wednesday 31 July) will be chosen by the first night audience.
You cannot reserve seats in advance. The first 15 people to arrive will be seated in the teaching area. After that, it will be standing room only around the edges.
All the computers will be turned off, but there will be popcorn instead.
Here is a quick follow-up from Dolores’ recent visits (26 April and 31 May) – some of our best Friday afternoons so far. We will make a more permanent Audioboo page soon.
Are you over 60? Join the Silver Screen Club to enjoy discounted tickets and a free tea or filter coffee and biscuits at our Silver Screen shows, plus exclusive monthly offers.
Our Silver Screen shows offer a reduced ticket price to those over 60. Since 12 April, Silver Screen has been a members’ club. Annual membership is free, and you will need to be a member to benefit from the discounted ticket price and free hot drink and biscuits at Silver Screen shows.
To launch the Silver Screen Club, we have a special additional offer of a free tea or filter coffee when you come to see any film before 5:00 on Mondays to Fridays in April and May. If you join in April or May you will also be entered into a draw to win one of ten free Picturehouse Memberships.
How to join.
Just fill out the form in the cinema or call 0871 902 5747 and we will issue you with a free Silver Screen membership card.
If you are a Picturehouse Member, just tell us that you would like to join the Silver Screen Club and we will add this to your existing account. You can then use your usual Membership card to claim all Silver Screen benefits.
Nordic Walking is an enhancement of ordinary walking, poles are being used to allow you to walk faster with less effort. It is whole body workout and one of the fastest growing cardio-vascular fitness activities – it makes something we can do twice as effective.
Nordic walking is a specific fitness technique and not to be confused with trekking, hill walking, or trail running.
The walks are available to everybody aged 50 or over.
They are led by Nikkii Barnett, an experienced Nordic Walking instructor.
For more information about these walks, please call Nikkii on 079 8993 8242
Hackney Law Centre are delighted to announce that, with the help of students and pro bono staff from BPP Law School, we have now launched a new service to help people fill out their Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Employment Support Allowance (ESA) forms.
ESA and DLA application forms can prove very difficult to fill out correctly. We want to make sure that any resident in Hackney who is entitled to receive ESA or DLA doesn’t miss out by not completing the form properly.
To access the service, people who live or work in Hackney must call 020 7633 4531 and leave their name and contact telephone number.
A law student from BPP will then call back during office hours to gather more detailed information about their query. If suitable, an appointment may be made for the person seeking help with a HCLC supervised BPP law student volunteering on a Tuesday afternoon. All appointments will be at Dalston CLR James Library.
Rethink ( rethink.org ) have produced a downloadable 20-page guide to the new benefits system. Here is what they say about it …
“Everything from the bedroom tax to the end of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), crisis loans to Universal Credit seems to be happening in April. As a result, many people on benefits are fearful. Journalists aren’t reporting all the facts. And the public is completely confused about whether these changes are good or bad.
If you need to understand what is happening, either to your benefits or for someone you care about, download our free new benefits pack.
It covers all the changes announced in full so far. And it is in Plain English so that you don’t have to be a lawyer or a benefits expert to get the information you need.”
There are four main sections …
Changes to Housing Benefit – ‘the bedroom tax’.
Council Tax Benefit changes.
Changes to the Social Fund.
Changes to Disability Living Allowance.
You can download it yourself from the Rethink page named ‘Help to get through benefits changes’ – or, if you need help, you can download it at our computer centre.
The Hackney Mobile Seniors team helps people who have problems with, or questions about, mobile computing – which includes laptops, smartphones, iPads, tablets, Kindles, and anything else which is portable and works with wifi or 3G.
Bring your problem (literally) to our computer centre, and the Hackney Mobile Seniors team will do their best to solve it.
When and where.
Thursday mornings, 10 am to 12 (but not 23 May).
The front drop-in area of our computer centre: 52 The Lawns, Matthias Rd, N16 8QD.
“AbilityNet exists to change lives of disabled people, to help them achieve everything they can at work, at home or in education. We have a number of high quality specialist services for businesses and others who can pay for our expertise. We also provide a range of free services for people who cannot afford to pay.”
“IT Can Help is a network of volunteers who are able to offer free local computer assistance to disabled people. We can diagnose and fix most computer related problems; Install and set up hardware, software, internet, email and accessibility settings.”
“The Aidis Trust is a charity that provides free, impartial technology advice and support to people with disabilities across the UK. It is our aim to empower people with disabilities, through knowledge of assistive technology, to help them communicate and increase their independence by using technology to help reduce isolation. Our services are offered free of charge to those who receive no statutory support.”
Moving public services online (Radio 4 at The Lawns).
Catch up with the Radio 4 visit to Agewell Social Network.
The BBC edited their report down to seven succinct minutes for the You and Yours programme, which was broadcast on 27 September 2012. This is their own blurb …
The government’s plans to digitise public services could prevent 5.4 million older people – over half of all people aged 65 or above – from accessing vital services such as their state pension. Classes for the age group are happening to get them online. Simon Browning reports.
Agewell Social Network.
Online information about personal finance for older people – where to find it, and how to use it.
The Lawns Cinema Premiere, 26 June (4 pm).
The second film (to be shown on Wednesday 31 July) will be chosen by the first night audience.
Here is a quick follow-up from Dolores’ recent visits (
A message from the 
Come and enjoy this new experience!
Our parent organisation (now Age UK East London) has its own website at last. Do you like it?
A message from
Rethink ( 
16 April 2013.
Laptop and Mobile Café.
AbilityNet.
IT Can Help.
Aidis Trust.
Catch up with the Radio 4 visit to Agewell Social Network.
