Dell Provides Free Technology Training to Cork’s Older Community

Getting Started is a training initiative to encourage and help older people to use computers, the internet and mobile phones. Volunteers from Dell’s campus in Mahon have been tutoring the participants, who are all aged over 55, on a one-to-one basis.

Speaking today, John O’Mara, Cork Site Leader, Dell Ireland said: “Well done to all those who took part in the Getting Started course. Thanks to Age Action and team members from Dell who volunteered as tutors, participants are now browsing with ease and many are now using technology to connect with loved ones at home and abroad. Dell’s Powering the Possible commitment to put technology and expertise to work where it can do the most good for people and the planet is reflected in our relationship with Age Action, and we look forward to continuing to work together on behalf of the older people of Cork.”

Getting Started programme participants Eileen O’Connell and Ned O’Connell with Anna Geary of Dell Ireland

Courses in the Getting Started programme run for 5- 6 weeks and each class contains 8-10 people.

Julie Oates, Age Action’s Regional Project Officer for the Getting Started Programme, said: “We are so grateful to Dell for hosting the courses and to the company’s volunteers who gave their time to tutor participants. Age Action started this initiative as part of our fight against digital exclusion and it has been a great success. Getting Started proves that no-one is ever too old to learn skills like online banking and using email. If you are interested in taking part in the programme, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are now taking names for courses right through to summer in all areas of Cork, and because the Dell courses are so popular, I recommend that people book early for the next one planned for May.”

More information about the Getting Started programme is available by calling 021 453 65554, visiting www.ageaction.ie or by emailing [email protected].