An introduction to the Edinburgh Silver Surfers

Welcome to the
Edinburgh Silver Surfers

We are a comparatively new group of friends brought together through curiosity. We all got rather fed up with not being able to understand the language used by our grandchildren when they were discussing their computing skills. And, as the saying goes, if you can't beat them... join them!

When we joined the project it was almost with fear and trepidation. There was this big blank screen just sitting there - menacing! By the end of the first lesson, when we knew the 'on' and 'off' switch... we felt we had achieved something really momentous. Now we can (sort of) confidently say that we are all computer literate, and we can tease and criticise each other knowing we are all in the same boat and at the same stage.

What we are trying to say is that no-one need ever be afraid of a computer. It really is an inanimate object and cannot answer back. And it's great fun learning, especially learning with friends. We have made friends and learned new skills with each other and becoming computer literate has widened our horizons. We can now surf the Net, contact friends and family through e-mail, design greeting cards and we are now going to other groups to demonstrate "If We can do it... so can You!"

The Grand Launch of Edinburgh Silver Surfers website took place on Wednesday 1st October 2003 at the Gyle Shopping Centre on the western outskirts of Edinburgh

Four 'Founder Members' were three of our Tutors and the launch was part of Edinburgh's "Older People's Week". There were many other activities and interests represented and there was a lot of interest shown, not just in the Silver Surfers' stall but in all the areas represented.

The ESS signed up a good few people who want to "get into the 21st Century", "don't want to be left behind", "want to find out what the kids are talking about" - or are just plain curious. And there are a lot of older people who realise that having computing skills will broaden their horizons or - for those who are housebound or disabled to some extent - knowing which buttons to press that will help with shopping, keep in touch with families both at home and abroad, and generally bring people together and in touch again.

We were told about a severely disabled person living on one of the outer islands who had been 'isolated' for most of his life because of his disabilities; he bought and taught himself to use a computer and now he ranges the world, keeping in touch with family members who have emigrated, visiting chat-rooms and keeping up to date with everything that is happening all around him.

Computers and computing skills are definitely for everyone and anyone. You don't have to be Einstein - or even Bill Gates - to learn this new skill, you just have to want to learn something new or be plain nosey about what others are doing...

Go on ... DO IT!!!