Age Page- Nov. & Dec. 2010

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1 Getting Started Age Page- Nov. & Dec Welcome Welcome to Nov. & Dec. Getting Started Age Page. This will keep learners and volunteers up to date on the activities of the Getting Started Programme and provide information on interesting websites, new technology etc. If you don t wish to receive this monthly newsletter please let me know by ing gettingstarted@ageaction.ie Getting Started is a programme for older people to help them gain confidence and basic skills in computers and the internet. Training is provided by volunteer tutors in small classes, with an emphasis on encouragement and support for older learners. Congratulation to our Silver Surfer Winners 2010 Congratulations also to all those who were short listed for this year s awards. The winners; Silver Surfer of the Year - Evan Hassell, from Cork. IT Volunteer of the Year Dick Brennan from Malahide. Best Use of Internet Fred English Sr. from Dublin. Most Dedicated IT Learner Maureen O Brien from Dublin. Silver Networker Liam Kirwan from Offaly. Golden IT Award Special Award Daniel Hoare, Cork. Here are some photos of the event

2 To read more about their stories click on the link below and scroll to the end of the page. The event got lots of media coverage and some of the winner and short list nominees were on the Late Late Show, you can view the show again at There was also coverage in the Irish Times including a great story about a 97 year old man and his ipad html Listen to a report on Morning Ireland 57, Thank You & Well Done A big thank you to all our Getting Started volunteers in 2010, without your help we couldn t run this programme and well done to all our Getting Started graduates of Age Action wishes you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Google & Getting Started to partner in 2011 Age Action s Getting Started programme is delighted to announce it s partnership with Google in Google will provide support to research both participants and volunteers experiences of the Getting Started programme. This survey will be carried out either online or by phone. The feedback will enable us to improve the programme. Please be aware you may receive either an or phone call from Google asking you to answer a few questions, they won t be asking you for any personal details just feedback on your experience of the Getting Started programme. If you do not wish to take part please ppower@ageaction.ie with your name and where you did you class.

3 is a 2 year project funded by the European Union which aims to encourage older people to embrace computer usage which is so important to avoid social disadvantage and exclusion in today s world. Age Action in partnership with organisations from Lithuania, Poland and Finland will be exchanging ideas on the best approach to teaching computers to older people so that they have the skills, confidence and motivation to use computers as an everyday tool to stay in touch with family and friends, manage their affairs, obtain information and access entertainment. The first meeting of the partners took place last month in Kaunas, Lithuania. It was agreed that learners and trainers would visit each other s countries to participate in workshops, and experience first hand, how computer training is given outside their own country. A particular aim is that learners pass on the knowledge of a skill learned at the workshop to another senior learner so that peer to peer teaching supplements that given by an experienced trainer. Participants will have the chance of enjoying another culture and socialising with other Europeans. Both learner and trainer will give feedback on their experiences so identifies Best Practice in the area of computer delivery to seniors. New Age Action YouTube Channel Age Action has launched a YouTube channel for videos about the charity. We have a new video about our Getting Started programme and a video of this year s Silver Surfer Awards. A big thanks to Julia Wakeham & Alan O Connor for volunteering to make this great video about our Getting Started programme.

4 How to magnify websites so they are easier to read You can easily enlarge and reduce the text size on a website. When surfing the net simply press the control key (Ctrl) and the plus sign (+) to make any website as big as you want. Or press the control key (Ctrl) and the minus sign (-) to make anything as small as you want. New look Age Action website Age Action has launched its new look website This new website allows us to display photos and videos. Christmas Home Box Appeal This Christmas we are asking our supporters to help us more than ever. We are calling on our supporters and asking them to fill a Christmas box with loose change to help us provide better services for older people. Your support is vital to enable us to make a difference by securing high quality services for older people in our community. Christmas is a very busy time for Age Action. We receive a lot of calls in the run up to Christmas from those who are alone, scared and isolated. Although Christmas can be a happy time for most, there are people who find it quite distressing and telephone Age Action for help. Boxes will be posted out to homes across the country and we are hoping that people will promote the cause within their own circle of friends and family. If you would like to order your box for Christmas please contact Lyndsey Jones on (01) or lyndseyj@ageaction.ie Thank you for your support. Age Action welcomes decision not to cut State Pension But older people will be hit by other cuts, read more here

5 Help with your Bord Gais bills Bord Gáis have generously donated 200,000 euro to ALONE for distribution to older people in need of assistance with their Bord Gáis bills in If you are or know a Bord Gáis residential customer over the age of 60 who is experiencing difficult paying bills please enter contact the ALONE at Competition - Memories of Christmas Past... White washed walls, killing the goose, caraway seed cake are these just some of your memories of Christmas of old? If so, the over 55 s website: would like to hear from you. To celebrate nostalgic memories of Christmas past, Golden Ireland is offering one lucky winner the opportunity to spend Women s Little Christmas (6 th January) with five friends in the four star, luxurious Roganstown Hotel & Country Club. Swords, Co. Dublin. Your prize will include overnight accommodation for 6 people (3 double rooms) with full Irish breakfast the next morning. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends and family in the beautiful surroundings of Roganstown Hotel & Country Club. Your story can be as long or as short as you like and all entries will be included in the Golden Ireland blog: Please send your entry along with your contact details to: info@goldenireland.ie Closing date for entries is Friday, 10th December Keeping Well and Warm This Winter During this winter we all need help to stay well and warm. The website has lots of information on doing this and you can download an information booklet with lots of advice.

6 Looking for a Christmas Gift Idea? Why not consider giving the gift of membership to Age Action. Membership is open to people of all ages and annual members receive 10 issues of our Ageing Matters magazines. By recruiting new members you will help the organisation grow stronger. New members support this Christmas to make sure we continue to provide vital services in Some Websites of Interest Publish your own book Kenny s Bookshop in Galway runs this website so you can publish your own, self-created books such are your family history. Christmas Shopping Online Avoid the snow and the Christmas rush and shop online. Here are a few useful Irish websites This article in the Irish Times also features some more shopping websites html Check the Electoral Register Make sure you are registered to vote in the next election

7 The Irish College Paris The Irish College has digitized part of its historical archives, in order to relate the history of the building and its residents. The archives include documents on parchment, registers of students, letters concerning ordinations, plans of the building, photographs, letters and many other documents. More than 23,500 images are now available on-line Irish Nun in Canada still going strong at 80 This is an inspiring story about marathon and triathlon competitor Sister Madonna Buder who is 80 years young. Best of YouTube The Hallelujah Chorus as your never seen it before Facebook & Twitter Don t forget you can follow Age Action on Facebook at and Twitter at Attention Volunteer Tutors If your students would like to receive this monthly newsletter just ask them to gettingstarted@ageaction.ie and I will include them in the mailing. Please could you also ask student to include their location in the . Thanks Contribute to this Newsletter If you know of an interesting website or have information on technology that you would like to share, or if you would like to write a short story about your experience as a learner or tutor please contact Pauline Power at gettingstarted@ageaction.ie

8 Getting Started, Age Action Ireland, 30/31 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2 Phone: