Older people log on at classes to get them computer literate

OLDER people in Carmarthenshire have been encouraged to surf thenet at a special event organised by Carmarthenshire 50+.

A special event held at the Carmarthen Community Education Centrewas a chance to encourage people to get online and to encouragethose already online to make better use of the internet.

Those attending had a chance to see demonstrations on lookinglocal, how to use Facebook or Skype and how to use internet banking.

50+ steering group members conducted one-minute interviews on howto get more older people using the inter net.

There were stalls to browse on a range of computing and internetissues. Mary Evans, of Johnstown, found the event useful.

She added: "I have a visual impairment and have come for one-to-one advice.

"When I worked I had that support from my employer, but I'mretired now." Carmarthenshire Council 50+ champion councillor KevinMadge said: "I'm pleased that so many people have attended thisevent.

This is something the council will take forward.

"It can make it so much easier for them to keep in touch andaccess information and services. It can make a real difference."

Welsh Assembly digital inclusion boss Alun Burge said: "It hasbeen a pleasure to come to Carmarthenshire and meet more than 100members of the local community.

"I have been really surprised by how interested people are and byhow much they want to become involved and use the internet.

"About half the people in the room use the internet and wanted toknow more and the other half wanted to find out what it's allabout."