Category Archives: News

International Day of Older People

Posted on by

As October draws to a close Computer Friendly have been supporting International Day of Older People in the St Albans area. Four events in total were planned in Wheathampstead (Oct 21st), St Albans (Oct 23rd), Redbourn (Oct 24th) and London Colney (Oct 28th) and Computer Friendly had a stall at each event getting our message out about the support we offer and the courses we run to people who need our support. Below is a photograph of our team at Redbourn.


International Day for Older Persons is a United Nations initiative from the early 1990s to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and to promote the development of a society for all ages.

Phone Us

Posted on by

Call 01727 617359 Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am – 1pm if you need some information or help. You can leave a message outside our open hours or email us at courses@cfsta.org

We’re here to help….. but our last opening in 2024 is Friday 24th December and our first session in 2025 in on Friday 3rd January.
We will be checking messages and emails during the closure and we’ll try to get back to you.

Do a Course in 2025

Posted on by


Want to learn more?

We run courses throughout the year for iPads, tablets, phones and laptops – for complete beginners (Starting Off with) or a little more advanced (Getting More from). For those wanting to return to work or brush up their skills, we have basic and advanced courses in Microsoft Office (WORD, Excel, Publisher and Powerpoint).
There are courses for Apple Mac users and Photos on the iPad in addition to topics like Family History and eBay.
Prices start at only £20 for a 4week course.

See the full timetable HERE or call us:
01727 617359 (Mon, Weds & Fri 10am-1pm or leave a message at other times)

More…

NHS App

Posted on by

Need help getting onto the NHS App?
Accessing doctors, hospitals and
all-things-medical is now online.

Just come along to one of our
DropIns and we can help.

Using good passwords, finding your way round Surgery Websites, Hospital referrals and two-factor autentication.

We’re here to assist you.

Computer Friendly helps again with provision of a Phone and a Laptop

Posted on by

Computer Friendly received a request from an individual who has desperately been chasing a laptop and smartphone for several months. Once again we have been able to fulfill the needs of people desperately wanting to get online and improve their lives and prospects.

Thank you to all our generous donors who provide us with devices that are carefully refurbished and made fit for purpose before being passed on to those in need.

Computer Friendly helps Shirley complete a book of life stories

Posted on by
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

Posted on by

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.

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.