Case studies

Elsie Frost

Greenwich pensioner Elsie Frost isn’t just getting to grips with technology herself, she’s helping other people use the computers at her local UK online centre.  

“When I was at work I remember using one of the first golf-ball typewriters,” says Elsie, “and when I was at school it was still blackboards and chalk!  Things might be a bit different now, but I’m a firm believer in keeping up with the times.  I can safely say that if I didn’t know how to use computers I’d be lost.”

Elsie, 82, has been a regular fixture at the Charlton Triangle UK online centre for some time, and compares IT to driving a car.  

She explains:  “It’s all very well learning how to operate a car when you’re 17, but you don’t actually learn to drive until you’ve practised for a bit, and get ot and do it on your own.  It’s the same with computers.  It’s not just about knowing what buttons to press or where to click the mouse, it’s about playing around and using it to do the things you want to do.

“For instance, I belong to the Greenwich Historical Society, and now I do our minutes on the computer.  I’ve got a godson in Melbourne and his mother is in New Zealand who I email all the time – it’s so much easier than using the phone because you don’t have to worry about time differences.  I also like to get on the internet and just have a bit of a play - it’s amazing the things you can find out there.

“I’ve done all sorts of useful courses, from word processing and emailing to spreadsheets and digital photography.  When I tell people of around my age about my IT adventures they say, ‘what, at our age?’  But the fact is computers don’t have an age-limit – they can be useful and fun however old you are.  I try and get people to give it a go, because if I can do it, anyone can!  

“I’ve become such an advocate I’m even helping other people out when they come into the centre as a volunteer ‘peer mentor’.  It’s great to see other people learning how to get as much out of technology as I do.”