Two Anchor residents win runners up awards in Silver Surfer of the Year Awards
Stuart Hill, 59, of Middlesborough and Les Nicholls, 88, of Liverpool are the runners up in this year's Silver Surfer of the Year Awards, sponsored by McCarthy & Stone and held at Portcullis House, Westminster on 23 October 2008.
The two residents of ERoSH member, Anchor Trust were amongst the four runners up in these annual awards, devised and managed by Digital Unite. Both Stuart and Les (pictured right) are carrying on what is becoming a strong tradition amongst sheltered housing residents to not just enter these awards, but win. In 2007, Joan Barker of east London won the top prize of Silver Surfer of the Year.
Here are Stuart and Les' stories:
'I have learned a lot and this has given me a sense of being valued again. I now have a purpose in life,' says Stuart Hill.
'I worked in the carpet department for House of Fraser and, out of the blue, had two severe asthma attacks. I had to give up work and when I came out of hospital, I couldn't sleep at night. I bought myself an ancient, second-hand computer with a 1.2 GB hard-drive and sat up all night learning how to use it. I had no internet connection and gradually taught myself how to do word processing and other limited applications that were on it.
'My stepmother developed Alzheimer's and I looked after her for two years until she went into a home. During this time I developed depression and received counselling and was sent on a confidence building course. When I finished the course I was asked to do some voluntary work with the group and used my computer skills to produce life-story books for a group with learning difficulties. After my stepmother went into a home I moved into a block of flats where everyone kept themselves to themselves.
'Two years ago my life improved dramatically. I got the chance to move into an Anchor sheltered housing scheme, where the scheme manager Linda Jackson, encouraged me to go on the internet (I was dubious). This move was the best thing I've ever done. As soon as I wake on a morning my computer goes on and it's on virtually all day. I have friends in New Zealand who I can converse with and I've now got a webcam so I can see my son while I talk to him. I now can't ever imagine being without the internet.
'I now feel ‘included' again, a part of life, a human being. I spend a lot of time producing leaflets, posters, newsletters, documents for various voluntary organisations. I also produce a monthly newsletter for the scheme where I live and one for Teesside Hospice. I arrange theme nights for the tenants using the computer to produce menus, place cards, flags and posters etc. I help tenants reply to letters they may have received and I belong to Anchor 500 which involves me in consultations that affect the lives of tenants.
'Through being able to have the chance to work with Anchor and others, my confidence has increased considerably again and I've met a lot of new friends who I can now keep in contact with. I get challenged by some of the tasks I'm given, but I know that I can now go online and there is always an answer somewhere. I now feel that I have a purpose in life once again.'
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'I was wounded in WW2, a bricklayer for 30 years, then eventually a works manager for an electrical fitting company and retired at 62. But I didn't know who I was until I got the Internet at age 84,' says Les Nicholls.
'I lost my wife five years ago and now I live in sheltered accommodation. About four years ago, we were invited to nearby Broadgreen High School to join the Silver Surfers. I volunteered immediately, I was the first one. After a very few lessons from our tutors, I was able to email my niece in New Zealand. It opened a new chapter in my life.
'I soon got my own computer although I still go to Broadgreen. Now nothing is out of my reach or an obstacle. I am constantly on the Internet at home, even more so now that I use my webcam through Skyupe. I have been in contact with a group of Silver Surfers in Scotland who I speak through webcam with every week. I'm in contact now with someone from America and we have become good webcam friends; we a good old weekly chat!
'The keyboard was difficult at first - I was a bit clumsy with my bricklayers' fingers. But we soon got past that and I have even made my own blog, http://lesmemories.blogspot.com where I talk about being wounded in Africa in WW2.
'I've also found out that I'm not who I thought I was! I heard a whisper off my sister that my Dad wasn't my father. And found out I'm really a Scott, not a Nicholls. I obtained my birth certificate by ordering online. And I have been able to go back many generations with my biological father's family. I haven't tried to contact any living relatives; but if they wanted to contact me that would be fine. I am a member of Genesreunited and have helped many others with links to my ancestors, as we share the same blood even if very diluted.
'My life would be so dull if I didn't have the many friends and interests gained b internet and email. I can even play golf now with Tiger Woods and darts with the World Champions, scrabble and Mah-Jong.'
Silver Surfers Day 2009 is Friday 15 May.
Everyone is welcome to visit Digital Unite's blog to learn more about the winners.
