Are You East Yorkshire’s Oldest Silver Surfer?

Local broadband provider KC has started a search for the region’s oldest internet user as part of a UK-wide campaign to encourage more people to get online.

He or she will be presented with an iPad and £100 of online shopping vouchers for a website of their choice to mark national ‘Silver Surfers’ Day’ next Friday 26 April.

Many of the eight million people in the UK who currently don’t use the internet are aged over 50, and Silver Surfers’ Day helps to raise awareness of the benefits of being online.

It’s the last day of Spring Online week, which runs from Monday 22 April. Throughout the week hundreds of events will be held in libraries and community centres across the country to introduce people to the internet.

In Hull, KC has teamed up with Age UK East Riding to hold a Silver Surfer drop-in event in the city centre.

Between 10am and 2pm this Friday Age UK volunteers will be on hand in KC’s Carr Lane Learning Zone, using the learning zone’s 13 internet-connected computers to demonstrate to older people how easy it is to go online and give them information about free local computing and internet courses.

Clive Scholes-Rhodes (68) from Marlborough Avenue, Hull, is already a convert to the benefits of being online. The retired English teacher surfs the net at Hull’s Central Library in Albion Street. He said:

“I went on a short course to learn about the internet at Hull College about 10 years ago. I use the internet to contact people and to find out about my hobbies which include photography and art. I attend art classes at the Ferens and it’s a great way to keep in touch and find out what’s going on.”

John Perkins, of Age UK East Riding, said: “Many older people are already enjoying the benefits of being online. These include making new connections and staying in touch with friends and family, saving money on utilities and shopping, playing games and pursuing hobbies.

“But we know that some people are daunted by the idea of having to learn how to use a computer, and because of this they’re missing out on a world of opportunities the internet brings.”

Anna Millar, community relations manager at KC, said: “Our search for the region’s oldest internet user is all about encouraging other older people to make the most of all that the internet has to offer. There are lots of free opportunities across Hull and East Yorkshire to learn to use the internet and we hope the taster session we’re running with Age UK will support people in taking the first steps towards getting online.

“The event is completely free and informal so people can pop in for a chat, a cup of tea and the chance to try the internet for themselves.”