“THERE’S LIFE after work – this is the best part” and that was certainly the case when U3A (University of the third age) senior citizens group teamed up with pupils from Devenish College pupils to learn the ‘in’s and out’s’ of technology.

 

With everything from taking selfies to simply learning how to send an email, a team of sixth year students are teaching senior citizens how to use iPads and tablets every Thursday at Fermanagh House in Enniskillen.

 

Billed as a ‘great success’ iPad training was the brainchild of U3A, who got in touch with Devenish College Principal Mr Simon Mowbray.
Edna Topping, vice-chairman of U3A said, “It is really about people coming together in the third age of their life. The first stage is learning, the second age is earning and the third stage is when you really have time to yourself.”

 

It was the members who decided they would like iPad training but it isn’t just the older people who have benefited. Students have been known to share ‘all the craic’ that has been going on during the sessions.

 

Edna added, “It’s brilliant to get the generations coming together. The elderly people realise that actually the young people are quite nice and the young people realise that we aren’t dottery old dears.”

 

Margaret Thomas, is enjoying her ‘new toy’ – an iPad, which she bought straight after the first session. Not to mention having broadband installed.

 

Mrs Thomas said, “I always said I would have nothing to do with computers but the headmaster was such a brilliant teacher I went and bought an iPad. Susan has been helping me magnificently and she has the patience of a saint, because I really know nothing about it.

 

“It’s an amusing toy for me. If I have a toy, I want to know how to use it.”

 

Devenish College head girl, Susan Surphilis was giving Margaret one-to-one tuition: “I like coming down and I like volunteering my time to help out. My expectation from the start was to help them develop their skills on the iPad and I would definitely do it again.”

 

Sixth year student Jamie Griffin said, “I have enjoyed the interaction with them because they are good humoured, when we are doing the different things on the iPads. – We are teaching people things that we take for granted because we are so used to it at this point.”

 

Seeing the how much more adventurous young people are with technology, has helped create a confidence among the older people. Now many are finding the technology lingo is starting to creep into their everyday language.

 

Principal Simon Mowbray said, “It’s great for the pupils and it is something that they can use on their UCAS applications or just for their own personal development. The inter-generational thing is great because sometimes there is misunderstandings between the generations but the pupils have thoroughly enjoyed it, as have I.”