Your tech help needed
You are invited to Sustainable Whanganui’s latest repurposing workshop on Wednesday, July 15, between 11am and 3pm. It will be held in the Harakeke Room at the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre (WRRC).
This is the fourth year Sustainable Whanganui has run such school holiday workshops.
Volunteer tutors Peter Watson, Lynette Keast and Lyn Pearson are the support crew for this one.
Not long after the WRRC arrived on the Whanganui scene, some early childhood educators connected to Sustainable Whanganui decided they would run creative re-purposing workshops for youngsters and families. They knew many children and parents would appreciate the experience of an open creative workshop that reused resources.
They also knew the importance of spontaneous creativity in developing concepts, ways of thinking and the growing of balanced kids. They also recognised that we are all kids at heart.
In the Sustainable Whanganui’s RUA (rooms of donated materials), there are numerous useful resources inspiring creativity. Along the corridor, the Harekeke Room has enough space to allow people to be creative together. Peter, Sue Kumeroa, Cat Atkinson and Lyn soon found many families thought such activities were a great idea too.
“At times, our workshops look like organised chaos, but participants emerge with a creation they have worked hard on and are justifiable proud of,” says Lyn. “Participants are encouraged to stop for the shared lunch, but many find this hard because they are too busy creating!”
More equipment has been gained over the years, mainly by donation, but the workshops still follow the ethos of letting participants choose how and what they wish to create.
However, suggestions may be made by tutors who are prepared to help find equipment and materials necessary for a participant’s goal.
SeniorNet Whanganui aims to help older people get up to speed with the latest internet technology, to make services such as internet banking, online shopping and social media more accessible.
SeniorNet chairman Terry Dowdeswell said more volunteer tutors were needed, preferably people who were skilled in the use of Android smartphones and tablets, and able to communicate well with older people.
“Our ages tend to be 55-60 plus, so it’s important that our tutors can relate to that age group,” Dowdeswell said. “We’re pushing our services more and more, and so we need to be able to fill that.”
Dowdeswell said SeniorNet did “a whole range of stuff” besides smartphones, including computer training, smart TVs, Chromecasting, streaming and apps.
“ManageMyHealth, for instance, is a really useful app,” he said.
“At the moment we’re dealing with moving away from walking into the bank, and people are realising that cheques are going.
“You have to learn internet banking and to do that you have to use a device of some sort.
“We’re trying to get people familiar with devices that can connect them to other agencies, like banks or council or government.”
Dowdeswell said some people who came to the courses could be tentative about using the internet or a smartphone but after a few lessons “their eyes light up”.
“They could be walking down the street and realise they can find a coffee shop on their phone, or they can take a photo of a letter and email it to someone.
“It’s a different way of thinking, but it makes life easier and that’s why we do it.”
SeniorNet courses take place for six weeks out of nine, Dowdeswell said, with the next block running from July 6 to August 14.
“If you have skills with digital devices, enjoy helping others and would like to join SeniorNet’s team of tutors, we would love to hear from you.
“Your help will make a difference.”