Project Description

‘’If I wasn’t a high tech grandfather, I wouldn’t have a life. The internet is sometimes my only way to the real world.. I thank God for all these which have given me back my selfesteem. It’s fantastic! Even at the age of 83 I am still alive and still learning. I have an email account, a Facebook, I can use the internet and the Skype. It’s so funny, being miles away and still being useful. I can help my granddaughters with their homework or keep them company. I can also communicate with my grandchildren who are studying abroad through Skype. It’s amazing! I don’t feel lonely or isolated anymore. When I am board I get on the internet and have a chat to someone, or being busy scanning photos, preparing albums of songs for birthday presents, searching the internet for football and tennis news. I must admit I had professional help to learn all these, but I also spent time with my granddaughter who is an expert in social network tools’’.

This interview with A.C an 83 year old grandfather has been a benchmark for this project. The world is ageing, and in doing so the society and the family are changing. Ageing can be enjoyable experience if elderly people have access to LLL opportunities. The more integrated and socially included grandparents are, the more society gains and as a result the family members gain. This project aims to promote active ageing and intergenerational solidarity through developing an innovative ICT training course for acquiring the necessary skills in order to participate in the modern world, both for pleasure and for business. Grandparents will be professionally trained with the involvement of their grandchildren who will transfer their current knowledge on social networking. When they will acquire the necessary skills they will set up a social communication network between them. The final stage will be the launching of the GRANDS HELP DESK on the web/platform where they can offer support, help and guidance to children who are in need.