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!!!