A lesson in mobile phone usage

A Queensland regional council is helping its older residents stay connected with loved ones through a free program which is bringing out the inner ‘tech-savviness’ in seniors.

Toowoomba Regional Council, in conjunction with Telstra, is teaching seniors how to use mobile phones in its Stay Connected program.

Overwhelmed by the response to the initial mobile phone sessions held late last year, the council is conducting more classes through to March.

Margaret Taylor, who is a senior herself, conducts the sessions and tells DPS News the program is helping the older generation feel “more comfortable” using mobile phones and other confronting technology.

“The main thing we have seen is it helps them get over their fear because they were brought up in an age where they didn’t have access to these types of technologies,” Ms Taylor says.

The 67-year-old says the main reason she loves using the mobile phone is because she lives alone in Toowoomba, away from her family.

“It’s a great method of keeping in touch with others. It’s a good way to stay up-to-date otherwise seniors remain frozen in their own world and lose touch,” Ms Taylor says.

Residents can attend as many courses as they wish or pick their preferred topics.

Separate sessions are devoted to learning how to send and receive text messages and also sending and receiving photos via mobile phone.

Seniors will also get a lesson in ‘Facebooking’ as they learn tips on how to engage with social networking sites.

For session times and bookings, contact the council on 131 872.