maison maritaine ready for silver surfers week

The Silver Surfers at Home (SSAH) scheme has hooked its second retirement home up to the internet in time for Silver Surfers Week. 

Following the success of its pilot project at Longue Rue House, and with Silver Surfers Week being between 8 and 14 September, the group has installed a computer and broadband connection at Maison Maritaine. 

Sure has provided free broadband connections for both homes in support of the scheme.

SSAH has eight volunteers who have been teaching the silver surfers at Longue Rue House about browsing the web, and e-mailing, as well as providing general advice on using the keyboard, mouse and other hardware.

The volunteers will continue to teach at Longue Rue, as well as Maison Maritaine. 

SSAH founder Alan Sartain said that he is happy with the progress the scheme has made over the passed couple of months. 

“It would be great if we could get a computer into all of the residential homes in the Bailiwick and I am really happy that we have made such in-roads into making it a reality.  We are now considering installing new software and webcams on the computers to show the residents extra things they can do.

“One Long rue resident uses the computer every morning and has even started playing games on it.  I am really pleased with the results that we are achieving. 

“We always welcome donations from the public of computers, keyboards, monitors, mice and printers as we will be able to set up the next projects straight away.  We have had enquiries from a daycentre and another residential home about setting them up soon. 

“We are also very interested in Jersey, and hope to be able to set up schemes over there in the future, so watch this space,” he said. 

Product manager for Sure’s broadband services, Steve Lawrence, said that he is glad that the scheme is so successful. 

“The internet can open doors, and more aptly windows, in modern life, enabling communication to be instantaneous, and providing an almost endless supply of entertainment.  One in nine people now watch TV online.

“The Silver Surfers scheme is an excellent project providing elderly members of our society with access to this wonderful resource.  We feel that no matter what age you are this should be the case, and that’s why Sure are very keen to support this great initiative,” he said.

Housing’s Coordinator of Residential Care Sandra Vaudin, who is responsible for managing Longue Rue House and Maison Maritaine, said the sky is now the limit.

“Long Rue is going really well with many of the residents taking an interest and we already have several signed up at Maison Maritaine, and this is before the lessons have even begun.

“It’s really opening the residents eyes to what they can do.  It’s not just about playing games and writing e-mails, I saw one of the residents looking at a picture on the screen the other day,” she said.

The computers have been donated by Fast Fix Services, the States of Guernsey, ITU, RMB International and members of the public.  At present there are two computers at Longue Rue and now two at Maison Maritaine.

For more information about the project go to http://www.ssah.co.uk/.