Two Roseland volunteers are helping the more elderly get online by giving free courses to help them understand digital technology and instil confidence in them to learn.

Colin Hastings of Portscatho and John White of St Mawes are working in conjunction with Superfast Cornwall, which is the partnership between the EU, BT and Cornwall Council improving broadband speeds across the county. The Superfast Cornwall Volunteer Network to provide a number of free training opportunities. These will be run in each area by local volunteers.

Colin told Roseland Online “Given that you are reading this online, you will have already jumped through any fears or barriers to using the internet. But there are many of a certain age, and even some who are younger, who feel confused by all the talk of the world wide web (spiders?), surfing (waves?), and URL’s (haven’t a clue!). And yet many at the same time sense that they are missing out on something valuable and are being left behind.”

Cornwall is one of the first rural areas in the world to receive Superfast Broadband. Our county is a pioneer in exploring how this technology can benefit everyone in rural areas… not just the young, not just businesses… everyone. And that means finding ways to help those currently excluded from the internet to jump through the fear barrier and learn how to experience all the excitement and benefits that the internet can bring.

Colin added, “A helping hand from people who could remember what it was like before they understood all this technology was what enabled Rose, a 96 year old in a care home in Redruth, to rediscover long lost relatives in Australia and both talk to them and see them on Skype. Life changing magic stuff.”

Plans are in place to get things moving in the Roseland. We hope that the first events will be held in St Mawes in February 2013.

Colin and John need your help to encourage all those who might benefit, but who are understandably nervous or lacking in confidence, to get in touch with them. They are offering three ways to do this.

1. Come and meet them: at the Christmas Market in the Bohella Bar in St Mawes on Saturday 15th December. Colin and John will be there to tell you more about our plans and to hear more about the help that people would like
2. Email: drop a note to Colin at chastings@btconnect.com or John at sueandjohn@mac.com
3. Give them a call: ring Colin on 01872 580312. If there is no answer, leave a message with a name and phone number. Either Colin or John will call back.