A charity in Kensal Green has been given a cash injection to teach its older residents how to silver surf.

Elder Voice in Mortimer Road has received a £34,552 donation from Brent Council’s Voluntary Sector Initiative Fund (VSIF) to set up and run Hop-It! (Helping Older People with IT), a bespoke computer service.

The purpose of the free Hop-It! service, which is funded for two years, is to cut social isolation of the elderly in Brent, and also provide at-home digital training sessions for the elderly.

Specialists give guidance and advice to over 60’s on how to use a computer who are given help with setting up an e-mail address, browsing safely on the web, creating documents, using social media such as Facebook and Twitter, and staying in touch with relatives through Skype and Instant Messaging.

Renee Beck, an 86-year-old service user from Maida Vale, said: “The help I got was great. Elders Voice staff had patience and knowledge. I have learned new computer skills and now I look forward to learning even more.

“It takes longer for some older people to learn about computers and to keep it in their heads. Some people are put off by that fact but this should not stop them from calling Elders Voice and asking their help with IT. I suffer from macular degeneration and it didn’t stop me from learning. “

Jenny Davison, chief executive of Elder Voice said: “This funding from Brent Council through the Voluntary Sector Initiative Fund will enable Elders Voice to offer an at home digital learning service for people over the age of 60.

I am delighted that we can help older people to stay connected with the local and wider communities through expanding their knowledge of computers and the internet.”

Anyone wishing to join the programme should contact Livio on 07835126560 or e-mail hopit@eldersvoice.org.uk to make an appointment for a Hop-IT! specialist to come over and help older person with their computer needs.

The VSIF awarded £462K over two years to 11 charities serving Brent.