Help older people learn basic IT skills

The hightlight of the last 3 months have been the Silver Surfer Awards held in October as part of Age Action's annual Positive Ageing Week. With over 300 enteries it was a difficult choice for the judges but the winners in each catageory has very inspirational stories of their lives and how using a computer has enchansed this.The winners were;

Silver Surfer Awards 2012
Pauline O’Connor, a 70-year-old grandmother from Carbury, Co. Kildare. Unlike other grandmothers who choose to bond with their grandchildren through arts and crafts or baking, Pauline has cemented her position as a brilliant granny by learning to play computer games.

Winner Most Dedicated IT Learner – Dermot Perry
Dermot, aged 64 lives in Our Lady’s Hospice in Harold’s Cross, Dublin. Dermot suffers from Motor Neuron disease and has lost the use of his arms but technology has changed his life.

Winner of the Hobbies on the Net Award – John Kavanagh
Three years ago, John Kavanagh (67) from Ballinteer in Dublin knew nothing about computers but his passion for Blues music drove him to learn. John has spent the last three year developing a social media platform dedicated to the Blues.www.facebook.com/DUBLIN.BLUES.CLUB

Winner of the IT Tutor Award – John O’Keeffe
John O’Keeffe (76) from Carlow taught himself how to use the computer a few years ago and found Skype to be a wonderful way to talk to his many family members who have emigrated. John then decided to help other pensioners in Carlow in similar situations.

Winner of the Golden IT Award – Catherine Talty
Catherine, from Clounlaheen in West Clare is 96 years of age. After several visits from a local history group, Cuimhneamh an Chláir (CAC), who would record Catherine’s stories about times gone by, Catherine suggested that she would learn how to use a digital recorder herself.
www.clarememories.ie

To read more about their inspiring stories see

www.ageaction.ie/gaming-grandmother-70-wins-google-silver-surfer-award-age-action