Age UK itea and biscuits week

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Age UK itea and biscuits week - 19-25 September 2011

Age UK appeals for people to pass on IT knowledge to older friends and family.

Age UK is calling on people of all ages who use the Internet and other digital technology to pass on their knowledge to an older friend, family member or neighbour so that they too can learn how to get online. The appeal comes during ‘itea and biscuits week' 2011, which encourages people in later life to get online and experience all the associated benefits.

Running from 19-25 September 2011, Age UK's ‘itea and biscuits week' allows older people to attend technology taster sessions around the country. The aim of the week is to let older people experience using technology themselves and to demonstrate the many benefits, such as keeping in contact with friends and family more easily and having easier access to information and services.

Helena Herklots, Services Director at Age UK said: 'Age UK runs ‘itea and biscuits week' to help older people try out new technology, in many cases for the first time. This year, as well as encouraging older people to attend events, we are urging anyone who knows how to use a computer, mobile phone, digital camera or any other technology, to pass on their knowledge to an older person in their life. It's really easy to do and can make a huge difference to someone's life.'

Margaret Goodwin, 65 from Oxfordshire and the joint Age UK Internet Champion of the Year for 2011, said: 'Having recently retired I was concerned that life might become lonely, however the Internet has allowed me to keep in touch with friends and family around the world. I was kindly taught by my former colleagues and it has changed my life. Therefore I'd urge anyone who knows how to use computers and the Internet or other digital technology to pledge to pass on their knowledge during ‘itea and biscuits week'. By introducing the very basics you could make a huge difference to someone's life.'

For more information about the week visit www.ageuk.org.uk/itea-and-biscuits or call 0800 169 65 65. 

For more information about the week and for interviews or case studies please call Andrew Walker in the Age UK Media Team on 0203 033 1433.

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Notes to editors

itea and biscuits week itea and biscuits week is part of Connect with IT, a comprehensive digital inclusion campaign managed by Age UK involving myfriends online week, Internet Champion of the Year competition and IT Volunteering. More than 200,000 people in later life have been helped to date.

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media contact: Andrew Walker
Telephone: 020 3033 1433
Out-of-office hours: 07071 243 243