Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is launching a free Digital Support Programme, offering residents across the borough who are aged 50 and above the chance to build their confidence and essential skills on digital devices.

The beginner-friendly programme is aimed at helping older people make the most of mobile phones, laptops and tablets. The topics to be covered will include getting familiar with digital terms, learning to use a digital device, emails, online shopping, online booking forms, navigating websites as well as vital advice on how to stay safe online.

The council says that although more older people are getting digitally connected, Age UK reports ‘25 per cent of people aged 65 and over in the UK don’t use the internet’ meaning that older people who are without digital skills risk losing access to key services such as banking, shopping and health services, as well as communications platforms that keep people connected.

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A beginner-friendly digital support programme is aimed at helping older people make the most of mobile phones, laptops and tablets to stay digitally connected.

The programme – which starts in the New Year – will run for five weeks at three venues across the borough.

It will be held in the Brownlow Hub, starting on January 21, from 10am-12pm; in Richhill Recreation Centre, starting on January 29, from 10am-12pm and also in Banbridge Leisure Centre, starting on February 23, from 10am-12pm.

As places for the new Digital Support Programme programme are limited, anyone interested is going along is advised to book their place early to avoid disappointment.

For more information or to book, email Claire McCann [email protected] or call 0300 0300 900.