Tenants take to the internet after receiving large lottery grant
A LOTTERY grant of nearly £10,000 is enabling Muir residents to find their feet on the world wide web.
The 40 tenants at Muir’s Tweedsmuir sheltered housing scheme in Chester can now go on-line anytime following receipt of the £9,802 National Lottery Grant which has helped to purchase 15 laptops, four tablets and a programme of training, allowing many of them using computers confidently for the first time.
The Muir Group Housing Association-owned property achieved the grant via the Big Lottery Fund Awards For All scheme, a Government-backed initiative aimed at making internet access available to as many people as possible.
Tweedsmuir scheme manager Donna Hufton said: “It’s the things so many of us take for granted that our tenants have warmed to.
“Shopping on line, making hospital or GP appointments and instant contact with friends and loved ones are so appreciated.
“To see people in their seventies and eighties embracing their new skills is so gratifying.
“One of our tenants was about to book a holiday; once he’d been shown how to use comparison sites he was able to get the same deal for half the price.”
83-year-old Maurice Hughes (pictured top) is one of the residents to have been benefiting from the 24 one-day-a-week training sessions being provided with the help of the grant.
He said: “It really is very good.
“I have played a few games and been able to watch the news and the weather.
“Google Earth is absolutely brilliant and I have enjoyed learning about everything in the sessions.”
Another user is Maureen Riley (left) who has been a resident at Tweedsmuir for 14 years.
She said: “The training is good and I have been able to start sending emails.
“I have been able to access different websites and now I can email I will be able to speak with my friends more often.
“Muir has been good in every way for being able to help make this happen.”
The grant was awarded following a Muir supported application from Tweedsmuir Social Group who were assisted by We Are Digital Ltd – providers of the training.
Another resident, Brian Hughes, 62, (pictured right) said: “It is a good thing to encourage residents to go online.
“The funding is a big help towards making this happen.”
We Are Digital’s Chris Watermaine, who has been delivering the internet training to tenants added: “Residents are taking to it fine and have been picking things up quite quickly.
“Things like this can open up a whole new range of opportunity.”
Above, Tweedsmuir resident Joy Borg with We Are Digital's Chris Watermaine - also seen receiving a Christmas gift from residents)
