Only a year ago Bournemouth Age Concern started a programme, Purple Project, to help the elderly to gain basic computer skills. Today it provides sessions at West Howe, Christchurch, Winton and Ferndown.
There are more than 10 million elderly people in the world that use internet to check e-mail and read news. According to internet users statistics, the amount of users who are over 55 is increasing rapidly in the UK. Bournemouth is renowned for its aged population, which is almost 40% of all residents.
Kerith Wyllie, Purple Project Coordinator, said: "The Project provides various activities in the community for the over-55s to help them keep active physically, mentally and socially. The increasing number of people attending these courses shows that older people are really interested in new communication opportunities. Retirees have lots of free time, they want to learn new things, take new hobbies and be able to have easy communication access with their loved ones abroad."
The course provides basic training for using a keyboard, mouse control and word processing before moving on to email and internet. It lasts six weeks and costs £24.
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