Pilot tablet course with over 55's in Bristol great success

In Bristol, BT and Bristol City Council and Citizens Online are working together to run the Get IT Together Programme, a community development approach to digital inclusion.

Get IT Together – Bristol has also been working with partner organisation, the Dolphin Society which aims to support independent living for the elderly.

Throughout June and July 2013, Get IT Together – Bristol ran a seven week beginners iPad course at Charities Day Centre in Henbury. The iPads were kindly loaned from The Dolphin Society.

The course showed learners how to use iPads; navigate the internet; online shopping; setting up calendars, and how to Skype friends.  The course had nine learner aged from 62-years-old to 81-years-old. The learners had never used a tablet before and two of the learners had never used a computer before.

As a result of the course, five of the learners have now got their own iPad either through buying them at a reduced rate from the Dolphin Society or purchasing them themselves. 

Ivor took the course to keep up with his three grandchildren who enjoy using computers. He commented “I have been using the iPads to send emails, find directions, read books and set up a library.” Ivor also uses his iPad to play bingo during the evening.

For information on other Get IT Together – Bristol courses, please visit http://bristol-getittogether.btck.co.uk/

Learners, Ivor and Caroline shared their experiences of the course and getting online with us. To watch the YouTube videos, please click on the links below.

Ivor on iPads

Caroline on iPads

Get IT Together in Bristol is supported by BT’s Connected Society programme, BT’s commitment to help people right around the world gain the skills and confidence they need to join the online community and Bristol City Council.