Residents at a sheltered housing project in Ramsey are discovering that age needn't be a barrier to the digital era - thanks to Manx Telecom, they've been getting online for the first time.

Their introduction to the World Wide Web is part of a new initiative by Manx Telecom to encourage digital inclusion amongst older members of society.

Telecom engineers have installed a computer and provided free broadband access at Ramsey and Northern Districts  Housing Committee’s Cooyrt Balleigh Sheltered Accommodation off the Jurby Road in Ramsey, which is home to more than 40 elderly residents.

The internet facility has been set up in the complex’s main hall and such has been the interest that each Tuesday afternoon a growing number of residents have been taking additional IT lessons from their computer-literate site warden John Sugden. 

"Some people are more knowledgeable than others, but more and more of our residents are taking a keen interest. 

"It’s really starting to transform their lives," said John.  "One of our residents was telling me her son has now been able to email pictures of her grandchildren.  This would never have been possible if Manx Telecom hadn’t installed the facilities."

Manx Telecom Mobile Sales Supervisor Andy Coulson said he was delighted to see so many of Cooyrt Balleigh’s residents getting to grips with the digital world.

"Digital inclusion is all about making new technology readily available to older members of the community and this is a perfect example of what can be achieved in a relatively short space of time," he said.
 
Pictured (l-r): Hazel Ashton, Phyllis McPherson, John Sugden (Site Warden), Syd Quame and Pauline Johns.