Proposed Activities

  • Develop software operating systems and applications suitable for use by the elderly and disabled.
  • Obtain main street premises that have disabled access and are near bus routes.
  • Start and facilitate an Internet cafe and training center, this would help in development of a social community that could encourage others to volunteer to become a peer to peer trainer, or join the project.
  • Advertise for volunteers in all disciplines.
  • Introduction to IT skills training sessions and ongoing IT support at the training center and in their own homes, if required, using a specially prepared training manual.
  • Set up a user forum to develop events for the community.
  • Constantly review and upgrade the Training Manual.

 

Area of Operation

  • Initially we wish to setup a pilot project in a town within the North Lanarkshire area  that has a population of approximately 60,000  - 90,000 where the main training room and an Community Internet Café will be established.
  • After the successful establishment of the pilot, centres would be set up in other major towns in the designated area, comprising a training area and a Community Internet Café, while the main refurbishment and installation would continue to be focused at the pilot establishment.
  • After a successful training period and an increase in their skill level in the use of the computer we will supply and install in their own home a refurbished computer with an internet connection for them.  With the establishment of a safe internet community, this will help them to develop digital inclusion in modern every day living and will alleviate the problem of affordability and lack of confidence in their ability to use this technology that is inherent in this section of the community.
  • The established community will be safer, stronger and more able to work together to alleviate lack of contact with others, exclusion from new technologies, and through the user group forum obtain better services for their community. As a recent study by Oxford University that the best method to teach this age group was by “Peer to Peer” contact and
  • Peer to peer volunteers will have greatly improved skill levels generated by the advanced training they receive.

 

Additional comments.

In response to many of the comments made by participants in the survey carried out by Glasgow Caledonian University regarding the space required for a standard computer we are investigating the possibility of supplying a new laptop or mini computer as our prime objective.

To determine if this is feasible we require a further survey to be undertaking online if you are interested then go to Help us page and take part in the survey.