Silver Surfers' Day 21 May 2010

Silver Surfers’ Day is a national day set aside to focus on helping the over 50s to have a taste of what the Internet offers and to help them gain the essential ICT skills to get started.  This is always a popular event in the Cares calendar and 2010 was no different.  Over 250 business volunteers assisted approximately 1,100 Silver Surfers in 80 locations across Northern Ireland.

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Background

Current statistics show that 91% of seniors over 65 years of age (and 64% of those aged between 50 and 64) have never used the Internet nor have the skills to do so . Considering how the Internet is becoming a fundamental tool in everyday life for shopping, booking travel and holidays, finding information and accessing government services, there is a need to ensure that the older person is not disadvantaged and excluded. Business in the Community (BITC) has been helping drive a campaign focused on improving Digital Inclusion for everyone.

This was an opportunity for organisations to provide volunteers on Silver Surfers’ Day to help older people bridge the Digital Divide on Friday 21 May 2010.

The Challenge

Now in its 7th year, Business in the Community, in partnership with the Delivery and Innovation Division of the Department of Finance and Personnel and housing associations, held free taster sessions in a number of selected libraries across Northern Ireland on Silver Surfers’ Day. Business volunteers were able to show older people over 50 years of age the basics of . . .

• how to use a computer
• how to register for their free E-mail account
• how to E-mail family abroad, book cheap flights, save time on shopping, find a computer course, bank safely and more
  

The results were truly amazing! Over 1,100 seniors were assisted by 250 business volunteers in over 80 locations - that's almost 6,000 hours of training in one day.

A huge thank you to our  members who once again rose to the challenge.

For further information, please contact Hilary Dickson, Employee Volunteering Manager on Tel: (028) 9046 0606.