Elderly take surfing lessons from the young in digital inclusion drive

RESIDENTS at an elderly people's home in Birmingham are now able to surf the internet and keep in touch with far-flung family members online thanks to the opening of a brand new "cyber café" within the home.

As many of the residents of the Perry Tree Centre on Dovedale Road have not been online before, Year 11 pupils from nearby Perry Beeches School are coming in once a week to show them the ropes as part of a new initiative to help drive "digital inclusion" - allowing more people access to the internet and online services - particularly among groups that have not traditionally used computers much in the past.

Service Birmingham CEO Stewart Wren said: "As a technology business we are delighted to support efforts to help people get online so they can access services and keep in touch with family and friends. This is particularly important among groups like elderly people who might otherwise miss out.

"But it is no use having the technology without the know-how, so we are doubly delighted to have the young people from Perry Beeches School give their time so willingly to helping them explore the internet and learn basic IT skills."

Local councillor Robert Alden added: "The Perry Trees Centre cyber cafe really is a fantastic project, helping elderly residents and users explore the online world.

"I was pleased to see Service Birmingham's very practical backing of this initiative. I was also delighted to see the young people from Perry Beeches School are effectively pupils turned teachers, lending their time and expertise to help the residents find the feet in cyberspace.

"This really is a tremendous partnership all round."