Elderly and Disabled Use of Computers

To teach elderly and disabled residents how to use, and make use of, computers, and to enable them to teach and support each other.

Initially the idea for the project originated from the knowledge that only one member of Hope Valley Access is computer literate.   Therefore, a need was perceived not only for the other members of the group to acquire computer skills, but also that other elderly and disabled residents in Hope would benefit from the project. 

Mr Steve Bond, from Hope Valley Adult Education and Treasurer of Hope Valley Access, suggested a pilot project, OPEL PROJECT, a similar scheme had successfully been completed at Derbyshire Dales Housing at Mount Pleasant Housing Association in Grindleford.  Steve Bond had successfully applied for funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Ms Colleen Thomas, Trainer, for the project, and he agreed to apply for further funding for Colleen Thomas for the current project. 

OPEL PROJECT is a sustainable project which will benefit elderly and disabled people.  However, the elderly and disabled people/trainees need access to a computer, printer and consumables at all times, thus enabling access to practise, to information and to further their skills. 

Partnership

Steve Bond and Alison Salmen realised that for the project to be successful it would be essential for us to work in partnership with other groups/people, thus ensuring the viability and sustainability of the project.  Therefore, we approached Sandy Schofield, Project Co-ordinator for The Small Group Project of High Peak CVS, Tony Okotie of High Peak CVS, Mrs Margaret Evenson, Warden, Caroline Court, Hope and Mr Robert Evenson, Quality Assurance Manager, PC WORLD, with our proposed project.

High Peak CVS informed us that they now have a new mobile IT suite that is available for groups to hire free of charge.  Small groups who don’t have access to computers will be able to use the suite to develop their IT skills.  Both Steve Bond and I approached both Sandy Schofield and Tony Okotie and outlined our proposals for the project.  It has been agreed that we can loan the suite of nine computers for a day a week.   

As the majority of Hope Valley Access members are residents of Caroline Court, and since there is a shortage of free appropriate venues for training and development, we approached Mrs Margaret Evenson to ascertain her views with regards to the project, and to determine whether we could use a room in Caroline Court not only for training, but to have a computer, printer and consumables in situ for the residents, and other elderly and disabled members who are members of the Caroline Court’s Social Club.  One of Anchor Housing’s policies is to actively encourage and embrace members of the community to use their facilities. 

Mrs Margaret Evenson will provide a room in Caroline Court for training purposes, tables and chairs, and paper for the printer; and she will also be responsible for the collection and return of the suite of nine computers from the High Peak CVS on a Friday.