[ Previous ] [ Up ]  [ Next ]

Kingston upon Hull City Council

In Hull two of the lap-top systems we were awarded have been allocated to students for use in their own homes,

Case One

Kay, aged 87, writing her autobiography.

For over 60 years Kay has kept notebook diaries detailing her life story. In 1999 she came across a NIACE sponsored "older & bolder" class where one of the tutors had worked with in FE with her daughter some 15 years before in the West Midlands – some coincidence!

Kay joined the "older & bolder" class in order to start the word-processing of her autobiographical "magnum opus". After 10 week we had established that she was a dedicated lifelong learner and an incredibly able raconteur. When we got an open learning facility going at a library near her home she became a dedicated user, but it was the lap-top project that was her salvation – the chance to have a PC that was easy to use and gave her e-mail facilities with tutors and family.

Kay has had the lap-top for three months and has produced 78,000 words as of January 17, 2000 – her 87^th birthday. Today we presented her latest manuscript draft in a "big red book" format. Eammon Andrews would have been proud of us!

Kay will be able to finish her life’s work within the next 6-8 weeks and Malcolm Wicks will receive a copy of her manuscript. OK, she ain’t the oldest lifelong learner (he’s a107 year old water colour artist, to whom we all pay wondrous regards), but at a mere TWENTY years younger Kay has done us proud.

Case Two

Jim & Jo, recently retired ….

Jim has had a series of serious strokes and finds "normal" communications not always possible. His wife Jo has been active with the local Stroke Association and for them both having a lap-top system at home has been a real bonus as Jim has bee able to use e-mail to keep in touch with family and friends across the world and at a very cheap rate, free in fact as Community Education in Hull are paying for the e-mail and Internet connections.

And Remember:

Until recently the Council owned 100% of the ‘phone company in Hull (now 49%) and calls to the ‘Net cost 5.5p for an unlimited regular use!), the public sector works!!!!!!

Jim & Jo have had a regular tutorial support from a tutor (as has Kay) and the NIACE lap-top project has re-visited some of the best work that IT@HOME achieved.

Top of page