Cestria connects silver surfers to the world wide web

Published by Kelly Elliott for Cestria Community Housing in Housing and also in Communities

A 70-year-old County Durham woman has been reunited with family members and old friends after undergoing computer training provided by her social landlord.

Chester-le-Street resident Iris Doughty is now an expert at social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter, using the technology to keep in touch with people from all over the world.

The pensioner is among a number of ‘silver surfers’ who have learnt how to use computers and the internet for the first time thanks to Cestria Community Housing.

The Association recently started running IT training sessions for tenants, with the aim of teaching them new skills and helping them to access a wider range of services.

Since starting the classes, Iris has tracked down relatives she had not seen for more than 20 years.

She said: “Through Facebook I managed to contact my granddaughter Kirsty, who I had lost contact with and who now lives in Nottingham.

“I also found out I had a great-granddaughter Gracie who is now three, its fantastic. I recently met up with them and this would never have happened had I not started using Facebook.”

In addition to running the training sessions, Cestria has also installed computers at each of its five recently refurbished communal rooms.

As well as reconnecting with relatives, Iris has used the facilities to keep in touch with friends from as far afield as Florida.

She said: “Having the computers in the communal rooms is a great idea, it gives everyone the chance to use them and keep in touch.

“I don’t mind being called a silver surfer and had I been a few years younger I might have even tried real surfing.”

Cestria Community Housing’s community engagement officer Mary Ormston helped coordinate the computer classes.

She said: “The aim of the communal rooms was to offer activities that would benefit the local community.

“The IT sessions and the computer and internet facilities now available are helping our tenants access a whole new world which is opening up different opportunities for them.

“Iris is a great example of what a difference having these skills can make to your life – she is living proof that it is never too late to learn new skills.”

Cestria’s five communal rooms – Auckland, Edenfield, Gibside, Holyoake and Lambourne – have all been completely refurbished following the transfer of homes in the area from the former Chester-le-Street District Council to the Association.

Local people and tenants are now involved with running the rooms, which are used for a variety of community events and activities.