It's time to go Silver Surfing

Designed to use the skills of business people to support and guide people who are over 50 to get more comfortable with using the internet, a laptop, a tablet or even a smart phone. Visit one of the many participating local libraries and sign up for an IT training session.

Organised by Business in the Community and Libraries NI, and supported by NI Direct in partnership with UTV (u.tv and U105), Silver Surfers’ Day takes place during Spring Online Week (20 – 23 April).  Volunteering Manager Hilary Hanberry explains the aims of this initiative saying: “Increased digital inclusion delivers important benefits to seniors in our communities. It brings financial and social value by assisting with access and skills to avail of a wide range of products and services at lower prices and contributes to them feeling more included in this ever growing world of technology. Silver Surfers’ Day is always great fun for both the business volunteers and those who book a friendly IT session.”

Paul Wickens, CEO of Enterprise Shared Services in the Department of Finance and Personnel adds: “I am delighted that the campaign is being assisted in this proactive way by Business in the Community. Silver Surfers’ Day as part of Spring Online Week forms part of our ‘Go ON NI’ programme which aims to encourage as many people as possible to go online, address any barriers, promote the benefits of accessing the internet, and highlight the convenience of online public services.”

Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV said: “UTV has a broad audience covering all age ranges. Our over 50’s viewers and listeners are a very important section of our audience. We are delighted to support this year’s Silver Surfers’ campaign and help close the ‘digital divide’ that currently exists within Northern Ireland. As the most watched television station we hope to have real impact in changing awareness in the area of digital skills.”

Belfast City Council is supporting Silver Surfers’ Day by providing training and resources in its local community centres through the Superconnected Communities project.  By making the online world more accessible and enabling more people to learn IT skills we are helping to break the digital divide and make Belfast a Smart City.

If you’d like to volunteer, please e-mail [email protected] for more information or call (028) 9046 0606.

If you’d like to volunteer, please e-mail [email protected] or for more information call (028) 9046 0606.

If you’d like to book a Silver Surfers’ IT training session, please contact your local library or call the Libraries NI Customer Support Line to book the session on (028) 3752 0738, (Monday to Friday 9:00am-5:00pm)