What is it?
Spring Online Week is an alternative name for Silver Surfers’ Week, which we have actively supported for eight years. It’s an annual national celebration of older people learning about and participating in the digital world of the 21st century. There have been other national events with similar aims, but as far as we are concerned this is the only one that matters – because it is the only one that has ever brought new people to our centre. So we know it is going to be worth a bit of extra effort.
Spring Online Week / Silver Surfers’ Week coincides with Adult Learners’ Week – another national event which has always got a result for us because it has been supported so well by the Hackney Learning Trust.
Links and dates.
Come to our First Click Internet tasters, Tuesday 17 May.
Our Agewell tasters are informative introductions to the Internet for local mid-lifers (people in the pre-retirement age range 50 – 65), especially absolute beginners. They are social events, not classes – so we won’t expect you to do anything startling — but by the end of the session, you will have a much better idea of what the Internet is, and what you can do with it. Then you can make up your own mind.
But we can prove to you that it is a lot easier than you ever imagined. For example – we can show you how to …
- use email to send instant messages to your friends and family anywhere;
- use Skype to talk to them and see them live;
- search the World Wide Web for information on anything and everything (for example – practical information about employment, benefits, housing, local issues, campaigns, hobbies, news, weather, travel, holidays);
- use ‘social media’ sites like Facebook safely (it’s the best way to keep in touch with your grandchildren);
- share your digital photographs online;
- download music legally;
- get yourself online at home without spending absurd amounts of money;
If you are convinced, we will offer you a place on our next free First Click Internet course, using excellent videos and information packs from the BBC, as well as our own materials tried and tested for local people.
Cake and biscuits will be provided by Stoke Newington School from 1 to 3 pm (see our post ‘Visit from Stoke Newington School’).
Where and when.
Two sessions at our main centre in Hackney: 52 The Lawns, Matthias Road, N16 8QB – it’s on the 236 bus route (there is more location info on our ‘Contact us’ page).
- 1.15 to 2.45 pm.
- 3 to 4.30 pm.
How to book your taster place.
You don’t have to book a place – but it would be better for everybody if you do. Here’s how to do it by phone (the best way) …
- Decide which of the two tasters would be better for you (1.15 pm or 3 pm start).
- Phone 020 7272 5512.
- Anybody who answers that number will be able to help you.
- If you get an answering machine instead, leave your name and phone number (please say them slowly to make sure we can get back to you).
- If you are enquiring for somebody else, you could also send an email to springonline@lawns.org.uk .
If we have people wanting to book more places than we have available, we will arrange more tasters. It’s happened before.
Two frequently-asked questions.
- Are your Spring Online events only for Hackney residents aged 50 to 65?
The Agewell Computer Club is funded by the local Primary Care Trust specifically to provide services for Hackney mid-lifers (50 to 65) – but that doesn’t mean we turn other people away! Don’t worry if you don’t fit that description – contact us anyway if you are 50 or over.
- What else are you doing that week?
There will be other Agewell events, but we can’t announce them before they are finalised. Our sister project, Hackney Silver Surfers, will be organising at least one Silver Surfers’ Week event for all older people within travelling distance.
BBC First Click – Internet for beginners.
Food-focussed First Click for beginners.
On-line seminars aimed at disabled people.
ALISON — free online learning.
