New Developments
Research across Wokingham Borough has shown that there are an increasing number of older folk who are ‘lonely and isolated.’ The following two initiatives are aimed at those who would be in this category. Through the projects it is hoped that relationships, friendships and community would be developed for those who come along.
It is proposed to put these new projects under the Link Visiting Scheme as an extension of that initiative, and this can build on all the hard work which has already been done during the setting up of the Link across the Borough.
Both these schemes are already running successfully in Farnham, Surrey.
Understanding Computers
This will give ‘one to one’ training to help older folk to use computers in a variety of ways. This will include learning to ‘surf the net’, writing e mails, using word documents and uploading photos.
A lot of the work has been done to see this scheme start this autumn. The plan is to pilot it for a with a view to set it up across the Borough. This would run between 10 am until 12noon on a Wednesday each week.
Pie and Pie Club
This would run in a Local Pub and would be ideal for retired men living on their own to meet over a drink and lunch. This could start this in one location once a month Again it is planned to start this in the autumn in one location to pilot the scheme.
In the Farnham context, which in many ways is a similar community to Wokingham, both initiatives have been very effective. There is a waiting list for the computer training and there are three locations each month where the Pie and Pint club takes place. | 