Yearly Archives: 2023

Computer Friendly helps Shirley complete a book of life stories

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Computer Friendly helped Shirley to use Storyworth to write a book of life stories.  She was then able finish her book and so happy to see it in print that she sent us this wonderful “Thank You.”
Over a year ago my granddaughter gifted a year’s Storyworth subscription to me to write a book of life stories.   I immediately found difficulties inserting and sizing photos and generally kept meeting obstacles but I was so lucky to meet David Forbes, a  volunteer, at the Computer Friendly DropIn at The Hub in the Civic Centre.  He guided me through my book which I signed off recently and am extremely excited to see it in print.  
The people of St Albans and surrounding area are so lucky to have the benefit of expert tuition from a team of volunteers, each one skilled in every aspect of computer technology plus their patience and friendliness is beyond compare.
I am in my ninetieth year and have many more stories to tell.  If I decide to write volume two , the lead chapter will be praising my recent learning experience with David and the tuition I have had previously from other members of the team.
                              Thanks, a Billion Computer Friendly
The DropIn is held at the HUB on the First Wednesday of every month.

Mayor of St Albans visits Dropin at Marshalswick

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David in explanation mode…..

We were pleased to welcome the Mayor of St Albans Cllr Anthony Rowlands accompanied by his Lady Mayoress Annie Stevenson to our regular Thursday DropIn at Marshalswick Baptist Free Church – not just to visit but to get help and advice!

Anthony:

‘I was delighted to visit one of Computer Friendly drop-in sessions along with the Mayoress, Annie Stevenson.  As someone who would regularly score a low  B- in any IT test, I know all too well how frustration can set in when digital confusion strikes.

Three cheers, then, for Computer Friendly who provide essential support to those of us who have not learned some of the basic competencies through the world of work or are regularly  baffled. They are a lifeline for so many in a world where living without basic IT skills is becoming harder.’

Annie:

Computer Friendly provides a vital service to prevent the social exclusion of older people who have lived through the digital revolution later in life, having been forced to adjust to a computerised world that was unknown in their formative years. Sadly, through the lens of age discrimination, older people’s worlds can become smaller and it is vital they are empowered and stay connected to their communities plus having all the benefits of being comfortable with technology that younger people enjoy. Even more important with the cost of living crisis. 

 It is not just a social issue, it’s a fundamental health issue as increasingly it is impossible to access essential services without going online. The digital divide  increases loneliness and isolation, the scourge of our society that the Mayor’s theme is highlighting. Computer Friendly is an essential service for older people to prevent decline in their physical and mental health and quality of life. We are so fortunate to have them in our district. 

Computer Friendly assists Asylum Project with provision of laptops.

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The YMCA Asylum Project in Hoddesdon requested some laptops to help their residents who were attending college and Tony Bourke, Chair of Trustees, was pleased to be able to assist with the request.

The project manager, Salih Ismail, said that the recipients were absolutely delighted to receive the laptops to help progress their studies.

We would like to thank everyone who supports Computer Friendly by donating their unused laptops for refurbishment. If you have laptops that you no longer need we would be pleased to receive and refurbish them, giving them a new lease of life to be used for a good cause in the district of St Albans and surrounding areas.

Computer Friendly supplies 5 laptops to Sir John Lawes School Families

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In July 2023, Computer Friendly was delighted to supply 5 laptops to Sir John Lawes school as part of its refurbishment scheme.

Chair of Trustees Tony Bourke is pictured with Anita Joseph, Assistant Head of the school who organised the distribution to the most worthy families.

In November 2023 Tony delivered 5 more laptops to Anita Joseph.
Anita said –
“Moore Kingston Smith’s donated laptops have been refurbished by Computer Friendly and gone to Sir John Lawes secondary school who have some families experiencing hardship and will benefit from the use of a laptop at home for homework and exam preparation”
If any organisation has a similar digital device need for a worthy cause or you wish to donate towards the refurbishment scheme please don’t hesitate to contact Computer Friendly.

Another satisfied client at the Flamstead Drop-in

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On 1st March 2023, a client visited us at the Flamstead drop-in unable to access their email account. Patience and persistence were very much the order of the day.

The Computer Friendly expert said:

‘After a good hour of access codes, security checks & verifying numerous times we were not robots, we successfully recovered an email account for a client at the Flamstead drop-in’