Long Eaton 50 Plus Forum
What is the 50 Plus forum?
The Long Eaton 50 Plus Forum is a voluntary group for older people in the borough of Erewash, Derbyshire. It aims to give those over 50 in the community a powerful voice to achieve change and enhance lives.
Digital Participation Activities
In 2006, the forum committee noticed the shortage of free or low cost IT courses locally. They decided to tackle the issue themselves by running weekly ICT support drop-in sessions at the local library in Long Eaton. These sessions, organised by forum member and retired business lecturer Roy Smith, provide older people in the community with education and support on a wide range of IT devices, including laptops, tablets and smartphones.
The forum provides a range of ICT learning support activities, including:
- Informal classes
- For example, structured beginners classes on how to use a tablet computer
- Opportunities to try new IT devices
- ‘Drop In’ sessions to provide support on individual issues
- For example, how to use Skype or social media to connect with family and friends
- Informal classes
What kind of issues do forum members want support with?
Support issues can range from the basics of using a PC, to online shopping or banking. Others wish to learn about how to use a specific programme or do a specific task.
Examples of ICT issues faced by older users include:
- Installing updates
- Dealing with accidental changes to device settings
- Mouse cursor moving too fast
- Dealing with adware, malware and viruses (i.e. popups and adverts when using the internet)
The Long Eaton Approach
The forum’s digital participation activities have seen considerable success and a growth in users has seen the number of weekly ‘drop in’ sessions increased. The achievements of the forum can be attributed in large part to its community based approach that offers ‘trusted faces in familiar places’, with sessions taking place at the local library and run by other trusted forum members. Unlike many other ICT learning support services, there are no assessment procedures, evaluations or tracking of performance; the ability level and needs of each user varies considerably and it is counterproductive to try and force everyone down the same path. The result is a social learning environment that is both informal and enjoyable for its users.
Importantly, thanks to the commitment and energy of its volunteers and the support of local government and business, the activities offered are on the whole free of charge.
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