Issuu

This Week

TUESDAY 25 January 2011 5

Retired folk surf into computer training Andrew Board Three years ago retiree Helen Gowland had never touched a computer. But the idea of Skype-ing with family overseas, downloading photos from her camera and email tempted her to take a beginners course in operating a computer. In just four months Helen went from student to tutor and now doesn’t go a day without using her favourite toy. “I use it every day; I feel a wee bit naked if I don’t. When I went down south for a few days over Christmas and I didn’t take my computer and I was right lost there for a while. I do things on the computer every evening and very rarely watch TV,” she says. Helen can now make her own movies, digital photo albums and is even on Facebook. She says her computer has opened a whole new part of her life, and she isn’t the only one. At SeniorNet, a not-for-profit computer training organisation for people over the age of 50, close to 500 people are members in Nelson alone. The group offers courses from how to use a word document to how to use Mac and Photoshop. Helen is now a tutor at SeniorNet and says she enjoys

it and the rewards that come with it. “It’s great when you see someone get it, their eyes light up when it makes sense to them, that is the best moment.” Helen says she has also made new friends through her computer interest, at SeniorNet and through websites for people older than 50. “We put the call out on one website for any Nelson people, a whole bunch replied and now we catch up once in a while and its great, I have a whole new list of friends.” The trend of older people, who did not grow up with a computer, getting into computer training is growing at a rapid rate. A 2009 report, commissioned by SeniorNet showed that thousands of retired folk wanted to learn how to use a computer. “We weren’t born into the age of computing but I had always had a fascination with them but never had the need for it until a few years ago, I was too busy doing other things. “But my daughter and grandkids would say ‘Gran you need a computer so we can email you and Skype you’. So I thought, oh well, here we go’. It seemed like a different language at the time but one day I thought I’d turn anoth-

N E P O EN SEVAYS D

ELWYN PLACE

computer skills to illustrate and put together a children’s book, all using computer programmes. “I just loved it from the start. People from all walks of life from our ‘other lives’, get together and just enjoy learning at a pace that suits us.” Helen says email and Skype courses are two of the most popular at SeniorNet.

“These days most of us have family overseas so to sit and see them is brilliant, and it’s completely free. Most of them come to those courses because their family has said to them ‘you’ve got to get Skype on’ so that is very popular, it brings families closer together.” • SeniorNet is having an open day at its Pioneer Park learning centre on Saturday 12 February.

Spoilt for choice Aki Sushi Amazon Andrea Biani Barkers Columbus Coffee Colorado Cotton On Kids Dotti Hartleys

HARDY STREET

COLLINGWOOD STREET

Buxton Square

Morrison Street

TRAFALGAR STREET

er corner and see where it took me,” she says. Staring at her new computer Helen says she was excited. “I sat down and thought ‘well, they say you can’t blow it up so I decided to start pressing buttons and find out what was behind the doors.” Helen found plenty behind the doors and has even used her

25 of the best fashion and lifestyle stores, showcasing the hottest trends this season:

BRIDGE STREET

Montgomery Square

COMPUTER JUNKIE: Helen Gowland started to learn how to use a computer three years ago and is hooked. She says she is on her computer every day. Photo: Andrew Board.

Monday - Friday 9am-5.30pm Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday 10am-4pm

Jacqui.E Jay Jays Just Jeans Kimberleys Kooky Living & Giving Lush Morrison St Café Portmans

Rodney Wayne Rodd & Gunn Smiggle Sunglass Style The Body Shop The Lingerie Company The Rock Box Witchery

Shopping Centre

CNR HARDY & MORRISON STREETS NELSON