Good Companions volunteer Ashley Gaskell is shown by director Russ Gallant how to navigate the centre’s Facebook page.
A Centretown senior’s activity centre is connecting with the online world by training staff and volunteers in social media, and encouraging members to get online.
Through an agreement between the Good Companions Seniors’ Centre and Computer Tutoring Ottawa, some members of the centre are starting to learn their way around the Internet, while staff and volunteers receive training to maximize the centre’s online potential.
Kerri Quirt, director of Computer Tutoring Ottawa, says for seniors who may not be able to get out and socialize daily, the Internet offers a chance to stay in touch.
“To be able to connect with the world and with family, to keep in touch with friends, and to do research is really wonderful for seniors who might not be that mobile,” says Quirt.
Since an ad for her computer training services appeared in the centre’s bulletin, Quirt says five members have approached her requesting tutoring.
One member Quirt tutored emigrated from Lancaster, England, more than 60 years ago.
“She said to me, ‘I never thought I’d see my hometown again,’ but there we were, sitting on her computer, and she was able to tap into a webcam that was running live in the town square,” says Quirt.
Good Companions member Beryl Anderson also contacted Quirt for Internet training. She says her main goal was to feed her interest in archaeology.
“I didn’t know a blasted thing about computers,” says Anderson, “but I realized there was probably more information available on the Internet than in the journals I subscribe to.”
Anderson, 86, says she has “fiddled” with the Internet since her first lesson. She occasionally exchanges emails with family members.
As seniors become familiar with email, web browsing and basic social media like Facebook, Quirt says many realize the potential for instant communication.
“They can look at their grandchildren’s photos, or school projects. That blossoms into using Skype, so they can actually ‘go’ to a piano recital or to a soccer game.”
In addition to encouraging seniors to get online, Good Companions is embarking on its own initiative to develop a social media presence.
Russ Gallant came on board as the centre’s director of administration in January 2011. He says although the centre had a website, he knew there was more to be done.
He started a small Facebook page for the centre, initially used mainly for information. He then began adding photos and events, and allowing people to comment.
“We are trying to reach not just prospective members, but also friends and families,” says Gallant.
Since creating the page six months ago, Gallant says the reaction from business partners and community members has been positive, with nearly 50 “likes” so far.
Although Gallant says he is satisfied with the success so far, it isn’t without challenges.
“We haven’t had a lot of interest from our members yet. The average age is around 75, so there are not a lot of computer users,” he says.
Anderson says she still prefers books to computers.
“Computers are not of my generation. But I realize it’s probably the best way to get the information I want,” she says.
Quirt says that with training and encouragement, this can change.
“Even if the average age here is 75; 75 is not old. People want to keep learning,” says Quirt.