By Suzanna Kerridge, 9 May 2002 13:15
NEWS Former Bond-girl Honor Blackman and Lord Macdonald, the minister of eGovernment, this morning launched a fleet of high-tech buses which will travel the country in a bid to encourage golden oldies to go online. Sponsored by Age Concern, Barclays and UK Online, the four buses will tour the nation for three years offering internet access and computer training for the over 55s. Up to £2m in funding has been provided by the UK government and Barclays Bank to equip the buses, called Computer Explorers. Only 37 per cent of the current UK population aged between 55 and 64 are online - compared to 69 per cent of those aged 25 to 44. Lord Macdonald said: "There is an obvious problem of a digital divide in the older generation and we want to ensure this gap becomes as narrow as possible. The aim of the government is to get 98 to 99 per cent of people online. This scheme will ensure that a large part of the community is not left behind." He said the training on offer provides a valuable opportunity, claiming the buses are the modern day version of the old touring libraries that used to reach remoter parts of the country. Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern England, said: "We know that depression is regrettably very common among people over 60 and that social contact has an effect in mitigating that depression. The internet is important for maintaining links with the wider world." The buses offer Compaq computers and internet access via the Vodafone network. Each one travels with fully qualified IT trainers on hand to offer advice. Initially the buses will tour Derbyshire, Cumbria, Leicestershire and Staffordshire where the percentage of over 55s is higher than in other English regions.
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