Source: Talk Talk,
Citizens Online
South Derbyshire Woman Crowned UK’s 2009 Digital Hero
A South Derbyshire woman has been crowned Britain’s Digital Hero and awarded a £10,000 prize for a community initiative that encourages schoolchildren to teach their elders how to use the internet.
Gill Farrington from the 50+ Forum in Swadlincote, Derbyshire was announced as overall winner of the TalkTalk Digital Heroes Awards 2009 held at the House of Lords yesterday.
Gill has been arranging for local schoolchildren to teach the internet to the elderly during class time for the past five years. The scheme helps older members of the community to get up to speed with technology and to feel digitally included.
But perhaps even more valuable is that the project helps both generations to better understand one another.
For elder members it has helped to breakdown their stereotypes of younger people, and reduced their fear of crime. Meanwhile schoolchildren have been able to improve key skills such as patience and have developed greater respect for their elders.
Gill Farrington, TalkTalk’s Digital Hero 2009, commented: “I was thrilled just to be shortlisted amongst so many deserving heroes, so to have won is just an amazing feeling. I hope now to be able to use this money to build on this fantastic project and fund more intergenerational projects, which are currently working so well in our community. I would also like to thank my committed volunteers.”
TalkTalk Digital Heroes Awards 2009, in conjunction with digital inclusion charity Citizens Online, have been designed to celebrate the outstanding people who are using digital technology to bring about positive social change.
Regional Winners
o East Anglia: Amanda Smith, Cambridge Housing Society
o London: Bernard Wighton, Richard House Children’s Hospice
o York & Humberside: Dave Wooldridge, New Life
o East Midlands: Gill Farrington, Swadlincote & District 50+ Forum
o Northern Ireland: Sean Og Mac Braoin, Media Ireland
o North East: Paul Atkinson, Apostleship of the Sea
o North West: Paul McCann, Twin Vision
o West Midlands: Susan Smith, Guy’s Gift
o Wales: Helen Iles, Undercurrents Foundation
o Scotland: Wallace Blake, Soar
o South East: Teresa Nissen, The Access Corporation
o South West: Tony Walker, Wolf + Water Arts Company
The full press release is available on the Citizens Online Press Releases.