By Stephen Dale

Free tuition sessions aimed at helping elderly people learn to use computers in a friendly environment were held last week across Brighton and Hove libraries.

The ITea and Biscuits initiative, which ran from September 16 to 22, was organised by the city council in conjunction with Age UK and was intended to show older people the benefits of using a computer for things like the internet, online shopping and social networking.

Councillor in charge of libraries Geoffrey Bowden said:  “It’s so important everyone can use the web and it really is not just for younger people.”

More than 20 people booked a session with a volunteer at Jubilee Library in central Brighton, and all who attended were offered free vouchers for tea and biscuits in the cafe at the end of 45 minutes training.

Volunteer at Jubilee Library Divya Ganjoo, 30, said: “Most of the people are totally new, they are usually afraid of going online and even using the computer, they feel they’re going to break it.”

She added: “They feel a little bit outdated and they just want to connect a little better.”

One of Mrs Ganjoo’s new students, not a total beginner to computers, was Local Government Officer Jane Catel, 61, who said: “I use the computer all day at work anyway but I just needed time to sit with someone and find out how to actually use Facebook.”

In addition to classes taken during the special initiative last week, older people who went along were offered up to ten subsequent free sessions to get them fully up to date with the technology as more and more council services move online.

Library Community Engagement Manager Rachel Whitbread, 50, said: “It’s our way of engaging with that community across Brighton and Hove to ensure that older people have the opportunity to get online and know how to use the internet.”