Alice Ruth Gainsley is a senior citizen who is discovering just how much positive influence having access to a computer can have on her life.

Mrs Gainsley was 85 in September, and had never used a computer before she heard about the SPF Connect Project, thanks to the AJR Journal, a journal distributed by The Association of Jewish Refugees. 

She has been using an SPF Connect computer now since November 2016. She uses it for a variety of reasons, and it has helped her to connect to a new world of possibilities in her life.

"I use it for entertainment, e-mails, games and Google for any information I may require," she said.

"I’ve recently registered with BBC iPlayer. I am now a member and get up-to-date e-mail information from them almost daily."

Mrs Gainsley also enjoys having the support of Natpoint, the IT support and services company rolling out the SPF Connect project. They are available to help steer her in the right direction if she is unsure of anything. The computer has also offered her significant help in overcoming personal tragedy.

"It was my saviour, as I recently lost my husband, last November, and it gave me the motivation to be able to cope with my bereavement in the winter months. 

"It allows me to make my life a lot fuller with all the entertainment it provides and gets me up-to-date with all the information I may require. 

"At the beginning, I lost the internet because I used it to full capacity, they [Natpoint] then changed my provider and now I have unlimited internet use, also they are always there to help me as and when I require it."

Mrs Gainsley strongly believes that many other senior citizens would benefit from the SeeYouLink software installed on the SPF Connect PCs "It opens up a new world without leaving your home," she asserted.

The results of a recent survey, carried out by Natpoint, indicated that almost two-thirds of 82 to 94-year-old recipients had never touched a computer before. 

Natpoint are now working to help remedy this situation, by implementing the SPF Connect Project.

The SPF Connect project provides a free, easy-to-use computer with a touchscreen and large, high-visibility keyboard to eligible senior citizens. 

Natpoint also supports the recipients in their computer usage, with training and additional online support also provided. Simple access to entertainment, music and ebooks are also provided as part of the project.

Michael Glass, the managing director of Natpoint, is delighted that so many of the senior citizens involved reacted so positively to the project.

Indeed, while 90 percent felt that the computer provided them with greater access to useful information, and 84 percent believed that it allowed them to connect with others more often, 100 percent of users would recommend the project to other people of a similar age. 

"The users who took part in the survey have an average age of 88 years old," said Mr Glass.

"Although 88% of the users initially thought it was too late for them to learn how to use a computer, we let them know it’s never too late."
 
For more information, visit www.spfconnect.co.uk     

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