Over 650 people across Northern Ireland attended Silver Surfer digital inclusion sessions at their local libraries and Housing Association locations on Friday 20^th May.

Organised by Business in the Community, over 150 business volunteers provided invaluable FREE advice helping them get to grips with technology and surf the internet.

Funded by the Department of Finance and Personnel, the Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson said:“My department has been running this event for eight years, helping Silver Surfers to set up an e-mail account and send e-mails, bank online, shop and much, much more. It is a really effective way of engaging and encouraging those who may feel less comfortable using the internet. 

“One of the websites profiled was www.nidirect.gov.uk. It shows how we have been making it as easy as we can for people to find and use government services and information online.”

“We are delighted by the commitment of our business volunteers who make Silver Surfers’ Day a priority in their business calendar each year,” explains Hilary Dickson, Business in the Community. “For the first time this year, we had a live link via Skype from the session in Ormeau Library in Belfast to Maghera Library. It was exciting to see the seniors interact via microphone and webcam.”

Irene Knox, Chief Executive, Libraries NI, adds: “A record number of 56 libraries took part in the day by hosting free IT sessions. Library members can enjoy free Internet access on library computers, not only on Silver Surfers’ Day but at any time of the year so I would like to invite everyone to call in and avail of our free IT and other services in all libraries across Northern Ireland. You can find out more at www.librariesni.org.uk. ”

For more information on Silver Surfers’ Day, click online at www.silversurfersni.org.uk or call Hilary Dickson on (028) 9046 0606.