SILVER surfers are learning new tricks in the New Forest where nearly 400 retired folk have become web wizards over the past year through a special course organised by Brockenhurst College and the district council.
As part of the course funded by the European Social Fund, computers have been installed in 29 homes for the elderly and disabled and monthly training sessions organised by college staff have included word processing, e-mail, desk top publishing and the internet.
Douglas Pitman, 82, who has been able to keep touch with family in South Africa and Australia via e-mail, said: "The internet has been a world of discovery for me. It is a way of keeping your brain active and it's surprising what you learn."
New Forest council's housing portfolio holder Cllr Peter Greenfield said: "Keeping up with technological changes gives older people the chance to take more control over their lives and it has been rewarding to work in partnership with Brockenhurst College on such an innovative scheme."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article