Volunteers from Computer Friendly working with one of our partners in the community to improve digital skills of their members with our successful blend of training by up front tutoring, supported by over the shoulder helpers.

Over the coming months volunteers from Computer Friendly will be running a series of bespoke courses in Wheathampstead for WI members from across the region. The bespoke WI classes are based upon the courses that Computer Friendly have developed over the years covering the basics of using Windows computers. The objective of these classes is to help the individual WI branches improve the digital skills and make better use of computers and the Internet in running their branches.

To Computer Friendly

Once again you have lived up to your name “friendly”.
Yesterday I went to the London Colney community centre for the first time. Easy to get to, free parking and not busy. Dean was very knowledgeable and helpful and able to sort out my IPad issues which started following the last software download.

I also met the author of the very useful Windows workbook I received when I went on the Windows course last year.

Congratulations on having recruited so many helpful volunteers.

A huge thanks

Vivien

Featured image of London Colney GualdimG, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jamie Lucking-Firth, seen on the left in the above photo – taken on the day we started drop-ins in Redbourn, volunteered for us at our Redbourn drop-in from January 2024 to the summer of 2024 before going off to University.

Jamie said last week: “Just wanted to let you know that I just secured my industrial placement at BMW doing cyber security. I couldn’t have done it without the opportunity you gave me to help at computer friendly so thanks a lot for that!”.

Thank you Jamie for supporting us and the people of Redbourn. Good luck in your future career.

We were lucky enough to have Beth Fisher, Mayor of Harpenden attend our Christmas Drinks in the Harpenden Arms recently. Twice a year we honour one of our volunteers for their contribution with the Queens Award for Voluntary Services we won in 2020, which they can display at home. This time, Philip Le Riche – seen on the right – was being recognised for nearly 10 years volunteering with Computer Friendly in cyber security and PAT testing all of our own equipment and all the recycled devices we give away. Beth very kindly presented the trophy and then commented more generally:

“It was a pleasure to meet Harpenden’s own IT department! The breadth of knowledge and expertise is impressive and we are lucky to have volunteers who empower and enable people. This brilliant group has helped so many local people with issues that would otherwise prevent them from, for example, seeing a GP or communicating, making transactions and accessing information online. The virtual word can be intimidating for some and it can become overwhelming. It changes all the time! Apparently, nits are now a good thing to want lots of! This group helps to breakdown those barriers and assists with the use of tech, software and apps but also the repair and provision of machines themselves. I would not hesitate to contact them if you have a computer need or question. They are willing to help, as their name suggests, in a friendly and kind way.”

A HUGE thank you for your kind words Beth, they were much appreciated by all our volunteers!

Futher to a recent post about St Albans achieving “Age Friendly” status – see Age Friendly Status – Computer Friendly are proud to report that we successfully supported all 3 events at Alban Arena (22nd October), London Colney Caledon Centre (3rd November) and Redbourn Village Hall (13th November). Volunteers from our charity were available to answer questions about computer problems, what Computer Friendly do, our drop-ins and courses that we run from members of the public, other stall holders as well as local politicians who were there no doubt to see the ‘fruits of their labours’ in pursuing being awarded Age Friendly Status.

Computer Friendly at London Colney

Computer Friendly at Redbourn

St Albans District has recently acheived “Age Friendly” status – see https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/news/ (and extract below from their website)

The District now joins 100 other local authority areas which are also part of the growing movement.

To be accepted as a member, the Council had to demonstrate its commitment to providing Age-friendly services and create a District where older people are well supported.

This includes initiatives to involve older people in Council activities and act on issues such as loneliness and social isolation.

Membership is conditional on the Council continuing to engage with older people as it has been doing by holding a series of Age-friendly events.

Computer Friendly will be supporting all three of the Age Friendly St Albans District events this autumn in Alban Arena (22nd October, 10 am to 2 pm), London Colney Caledon Centre (3rd November, 10 am to 20pm) and Redbourn Village Hall (13th November, 9:30 to 11:30 am) so you are welcome to come along to any of these events and have a chat with us about what we do; the courses we run etc., and how you could participate as a volunteer, a user with a problem to solve at one of our drops ins or as a student keen to improve your skills and expand your knowledge.

Give Your Skills to a Cause You Care About!

• • • Helping find and welcome new volunteers;
    • Making sure new team members feel supported and well-trained;
    • Creating a friendly ‘buddy’ system for new volunteers;
    • Organising ongoing training and support for our current volunteers.

Ready to start?
Go to the Volunteers page and fill out the
‘New Volunteer – Initial Enquiry‘ form to get in touch.