By Linzi Watson

Last updated 05:15, Friday, 28 November 2008

A SCHEME encouraging people over 50 in Brampton to surf the net has been launched following a cash injection of £17,000.

Get surfing! Enquire Within, a computer group run by Katie Douglass, right, for people in the Brampton area to become proficient with computers and access services on-line. With Katie are Maureen Granville, left, and Norma Wheadon

New IT project Enquire Within builds confidence among older computer users and has been developed in partnership with Brampton’s 50 Plus Forum.

The grant, awarded by Cumbria CVS, has gone towards employing a trainer and buying five wireless laptops.

The project will be based at the Community Centre’s Café with trainer Katie Douglass offering free drop-in and short-term taster sessions.

They will range from family history and digital photography to email and switching the computer on and off.

Enquire Within will visit villages and set up workshops for older people to use computers.

Katie will also be developing an online forum for people to use to keep in touch, build networks and discuss local issues.

The project aims to involve as many organisations as possible, such as WIs, churches, clubs and support groups.

Ali Whitworth, the development worker for Wellbeing Brampton Project, said: “As more and more information and services are directed onto the internet, people are actually becoming disenfranchised as they don’t possess the necessary skills to access these. It is clear that if people need to go back into the workplace, would like to organise a local service, access information or are supporting a voluntary organisation, computer skills are an advantage, if not a necessity – never mind emailing family abroad or shopping online.”

If you and your group would like to find out more about Enquire Within, or would like Katie to give a talk about the project, call the Centre on 016977 45023.