WHEN 87-year-old Sylvie Tyler’s neighbour and good friend Suraiya Choudhury told her all about the wonders of the internet, she did not seem too keen.

“I won’t be able to do that,” Suraiya was told. “I’m too old for these things.”

But Suraiya, 54, of Camrose Avenue, Edgware, persisted.

“I showed her my iPad and she eventually said that she was willing to learn, and we just took it from there.”

Each day, Suraiya and her daughter-in-law Suzanne would pop across to their neighbour and spend a few hours teaching Sylvie all about their iPad and how to use it to keep in touch with friends and family and how to surf the web.

Within a few lessons, Sylvie was able to keep in touch with friends using Skype, check her emails and keep up with all the latest news using her neighbour’s iPad, and eventually purchased one herself and began sharing Suraiya’s wi-fi connection through the wall.

Suraiya said: “She couldn’t be happier. It’s great to be able to help and encourage her in that way. She’s been such a good friend and a lovely neighbour since we moved here.”

Sylvie’s husband passed away last year, so engaging with technology has had a transformational impact on her life in terms of communicating and staying in-the-know.

Suraiya said: “I just think it’s so important for this story to be shared, so others know that technology is nothing to be afraid of.”

This is something fully encouraged by Harrow Council and Age UK Harrow with courses that are free of charge.

Chief executive of Age UK Harrow, Avani Modasia said: “We are very pleased to hear that people are embracing new technology and overcoming fear of learning IT.”

Not everyone has such a caring neighbour as Suraiya, so Age UK Harrow not only offers classes encouraging elderly residents to learn all about new technologies, but now also offers home tuition called Introduction to Computers for those that are housebound and isolated.

Mrs Modasia said: “One of the comments from a recent student who is aged 73 said that our tutors are very patient and had given him a lot of confidence.

“He found that the start courses were a great start on how the computer works and cannot believe how much Age UK Harrow’s classes have helped in him using the computer.

“Age UK Harrow believes that you are never too old to learn new technology as we know from experience that it opens doors for many in relation to keeping in touch with family, friends and also in combating isolation.”

Many older learners past retirement age take part in Harrow Council’s range of opportunities to get online and embrace technology.

Harrow Council divisional director for community and culture Marianne Locke said: “Access to the internet and being able to use computers is becoming more important in the modern world and Harrow Council works to ensure that everyone who wants to be able to use technology can do so.

“The council runs a series of sessions aimed at introducing people to computers and helping them to improve their skills and get online.”

The courses are part of a pick-and-mix range of programmes, offering a more personalised experience tailored to meet the needs of the individual.

Staff look to address what a person needs to use a computer for – to check email, fill in forms, access information about a hospital appointment for example – and focus on what they need to learn to achieve this.

Mrs Locke added: “On demand taster sessions are also available across all of our libraries, where staff are on hand to show people how to use the internet to find information and do things online such as safe online shopping, as well as getting started with an email account.

“All of our sessions are very popular and get lots of positive feedback – people say they like the fact that they are tailored to meet their needs and they find them really useful as a result.”

To get involved with Age UK Harrow’s courses, call 020 8861 7980. For Harrow Council’s services call the adult community and family learning service on 020 8428 1182 or visit www.learninharrow.org.uk.