Case studies

Nubian Life for black elders in Hammersmith and Fulham

A centre in the heart of White City is working to increase opportunities for isolated and vulnerable black elders. Along with a day-care centre and luncheon club, the Nubian Life Resource Centre also offers people the chance to learn about computers at its UK online centre upstairs.

Centre Manager Judy Griffith explains: "Nubian Life delivers culturally sensitive services primarily to the over 50s African and Caribbean community, with the emphasis on empowering elders to obtain optimum levels of independence. In today's world, computers are a vital part of life, and can open up new opportunities and choices for older people. They are one of the tools people can use to retain or regain self-sufficiency."

Head of Life Long Learning at the centre is Gloria Elliott. She adds: "In the computer room, we help people find out how computers could help them in their everyday lives, and we work to overcome any barriers they have. Some older people have poor eyesight or limited movement, and we have screen magnifiers and other adaptive equipment to help them use the computers.

"Others might not have good reading skills, and we make sure they can see what to do on a large screen, and show them how to navigate by pictures and icons. We also offer an opportunity for them to improve their Basic skills with literacy and numeracy courses. Some don't have enough money to own their own computers, or just never thought computers were for them or that they could ever learn how to use one. We show them otherwise.

"The classes start at the very beginning, with how to hold a mouse and move the pointer around the screen. We then move on to do things like setting up an email account with myguide, surfing the internet and even scanning and taking digital pictures. Outside of the group lessons people can drop-in to check their email and practice their new skills.

"The classes we run depend on funding, and most recently our small grant funding from UK online centres has allowed us to run classes about e-services. It is vital for people to learn with other people they have something in common with so they feel comfortable and can look at relevant, pertinent information. We teach people how to do their shopping online, and find the kind of food they like to eat. It can be a real lifeline to people if they struggle to get out or to carry lots of shopping home with them. We also look at benefit and health information, and at the local council website.

"One of the things we show people how to do is report on anti-social behaviour. It is important for older people living on their own to feel safe in their homes. On the internet they can report any incidents without having to make a fuss or give their name, and that's very important. Computers can help people take back some control of their lives, keep in touch with family and friends, and at Nubian Life they can make new friends at the same time.

"Everything we do at the centre is about making people feel connected, and feel like part of a community. To achieve this, we work in partnership with lots of different organisations, including churches and faith groups, the council and housing services, local doctors surgeries and Primary Care Trusts, Social Services, Help the Aged and various other voluntary and community sector organisations. It's only by working together that we can ensure we're reaching the people that need us most, and make available all the opportunities and services that could add years to their lives, and add life to their years."

Nubian Life also offers its members a free transport bus that picks people up and drops them off each day, therapy and hairdressing rooms, a daily living kitchen for occupational therapy and meeting rooms where people can chat, where the choir practice and where a tea-dance takes place every afternoon. One person enjoying everything the centre has to offer is Genda Cato, 68.

She says: "When I started to go to Nubian Life, they had to come and get me in the bus. I'd been in hospital to have an operation on my leg and there were complications. I was in a lot of pain and could not walk very well. Going to Nubian Life was like a life-line for me, and it's really been part of my recovery.

"When I first went into the computer room I didn't know a thing - I thought you should point the mouse at the screen like a TV remote! But even my youngest grandchild, who was just four, was using computers and I wanted to keep up.

"Gloria was one of my tutors and she was a brilliant teacher. She made everyone feel at ease, and that made everything easy. I never thought I'd be using a computer, and showing off my new skills to my grandchildren. They all think it's brilliant!

"Now when I'm in the computer club I'm even helping other people learn the things I've learned, and I'm still learning things all the time. Recently, we've been looking up information about Gambia, because Nubian Life has organised a holiday for a whole of group of us to go over there - I can't wait!

"I think it is important when you are older to keep getting up and doing things - life doesn't end at 60 or 70, or even 80. I've got lots of plans, places I want to see and things I want to do. And Nubian Life is giving me the energy and the means to do them."

Return to Case studies