Offline and Overlooked

This week we met with Anna from GB News to discuss the issue facing older people of being offline in this digital age.  Our good friends at Thornycroft Social Club invited us to come along and talk with real people about their real problems.

Services are rapidly 'going online'. If like 2.7 million older people in the UK you aren't an internet user, it’s becoming more difficult – and in some cases impossible – to access day-to-day necessities such as banking, making NHS appointments or even just paying for car parking.

But it's not just those who are not online. Plenty of people would just prefer to handle their finances, their bills or their health matters in person or over the phone. No one should feel forced to perform important tasks online if they don't feel comfortable.

Here at Age UK Wakefield District we offer support for people would wish to remain offline but need help accessing services, but for those who wish to embrace the change, we provide free tablet loan with data and gentle coaching to help people achieve their individual goals such as making a video call, online banking, accessing GP appointments, shopping or even just enjoying streaming television and all that YouTube has to offer!

To continue to help people in this way, we rely on the donations of generous people, if you can give, even £1, you can make a difference to the life of a local older person on their digital journey

Thornycroft is a social centre in Pontefract offering activities and a hot meal for people at a reasonable cost.

We have worked with this warm and inviting centre for decades and often refer the people we support to their day centre.

For further information, to find out about opening times and prices, or to arrange an introductory visit, contact via

Tel: 01977 703384
Email: thornycroft@ciswo.org.uk

Post: CISWO Thornycroft Centre, Halfpenny Lane, Pontefract, WF8 4AY

See their website Thorneycroft   or find them on Facebook