Connecting seniors to the world wide web

The Wendouree West Community House & Learning Centre recently received a Telstra Connected Seniors grant to deliver free training on mobiles and internet for seniors.

The courses are being run by the Centre’s manager - Manya Ferwerda who said that the program has been “in demand” in her community.

“It’s a great program and provides seniors in our local community with the skills and knowledge to confidently and safely explore the internet and use their mobile phones to stay in touch with family and friends. There’s a real need in our community for these kinds of programs, so we were thrilled when we were advised we had been successful in our grant application”.

Working with the Wendouree West Community House & Learning Centre is Telstra’s Area General Manager, Bill Mundy. Bill provides hands-on support to the program by providing a special workshop on billing and managing costs. Bill says of the program:

“It really helps seniors grasp the basic concepts around how to use new technologies. There are a variety of classes on offer from the beginner to the more advanced user; and by partnering with the Telstra Store we have created an opportunity for the seniors attending the course to attend a special VIP session in store, together with having members of the store attend the sessions and assist our senior members of the community understand how they can manage costs associated with mobile and internet packages, including helping seniors to understand which plan will suit them best”.

Telstra has a long history of contributing to the communities in which it operates and the Connected Seniors program is an important part of this. Telstra believes it has a special responsibility to ensure that all Australians enjoy the everyday benefits of being connected to modern communication technologies, regardless of location, ability or disadvantage orage. Enhancing digital inclusion by getting everyone connected is one of Telstra’s sustainability priorities.

Telstra Connected Seniors training sessions will be running at several sites across Ballarat and surrounding areas until November 2012, through the Wendouree West Community House & Learning Centre, please contact Manya Ferwerda on (03) 5339 5069 for further information and to register your interest.

For more information on the program, visit www.telstraseniors.com.au.