Event Invitation: Tuesday 23^rd November, 11am to 1pm, Jill Jenkins Court, Whipperley Ring, Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 5QY

Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association (bpha) was awarded £4,000 from the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education’s (NIACE’s) ‘Get Digital’ programme to help some of its older residents get to grips with the internet and online services.

Competition for this grant is very fierce across the UK and typically only one in four applications are accepted, with bpha one of the lucky few. The money has paid for new IT equipment at Jill Jenkins Court, a retirement services scheme in Luton. From emailing the grandchildren to internet shopping, over the past few months residents who might otherwise be missing out on today’s culture of modern technology have been learning the skills to enable them to head into the 21^st century.

As the learning programme enters its second phase, bpha is holding an event at Jill Jenkins Court to celebrate the success so far. This will be presided over by Cllr Mahmood Hussain responsible for adult social care, health and well-being in the South Luton area, and certificates will be awarded to all the residents who have taken part in the programme.

Gina Thompson, Assistant Retirement Services Manager for bpha said: “We are very grateful to NIACE for its generosity. During the first phase we have spent £2,600 on three new computers, monitors and webcams, a printer/scanner, a digital camera and specialist aids such as a large key keyboard and large computer mouse to assist those with limited vision or dexterity. Residents have been learning how to buy online, use email and Skype and play computer solitaire, knowledge that younger people or those more familiar with computers would take for granted but that many people would not have access to previously.”

“So far, more than 17 residents have been involved ranging in age from 69 to 93, and 8 of them had never before used a PC! The results have been terrific. One gentleman who never used to leave his flat has found the internet to be a useful way of keeping in touch with friends and family, while another couple recently ordered food online from a German deli!

“The project is not just open to residents of Jill Jenkins Court.  Thanks to our great partnership with the local community centre and its Manager, Jenny Bridges, the project will now be promoted to anyone in the local area when they visit the centre.”

In addition, bpha has now applied for funding to run a similar project at Betty Dodd Court, another retirement services scheme in Luton, and has just found out that the application has been successful.