silver surfers save money - but who helps them to start surfing??

Farway

Newly_retired wrote: »

What's the betting some of these will be closed after the spending review.

Sadly I reckon you are right, still the bus pass has remained intact so far :beer:

margaretclare

Farway wrote: »

Sadly I reckon you are right, still the bus pass has remained intact so far

I used my bus pass for the very first time yesterday. The reason I used it: DH asked me to go with him to the hospital urology clinic where he was to have a prostate biopsy. It was emphasised that he must not drive afterwards and originally we thought, well OK I can drive him back. But parking at the hospital is, most of the time, near-impossible. So, we went on the bus and took a taxi back.

What do you know, sod's law kicked in and there were a number of parking spaces vacant, right opposite the urology clinic which is in a separate Portakabin-type building. I could have parked there, no problem.

As it was, standing at the bus stop for 20 minutes or so was not easy for either of us, and the bus ride was not particularly comfortable either - it was a case of hang on tight or you could get thrown off your seat.

Have just been reading Lord Sugar's account of how he tried to send his winter fuel payment back when he reached 60. He tells how, after an hour on the phone to someone in Newcastle, he gave up, but he gives the payment to charity. I do the same. The most deserving case in my acquaintanceship is my eldest GD, who always seems to be strapped for cash.

juno

My daddy has used his bus pass in America to get some form of discount for old people, and has also used it on the train. He doesn't like using it on buses, though: last time he tried they wouldn't let him as it was before 9.30.

margaretclare

juno wrote: »

My daddy has used his bus pass in America to get some form of discount for old people, and has also used it on the train. He doesn't like using it on buses, though: last time he tried they wouldn't let him as it was before 9.30.

It was well before 9.30 am when we got on the bus yesterday because that was the time of DH's appointment and we didn't want to be late. We were prepared to pay if the bus driver had said it wasn't time yet, but in fact it was only just after 9 and the driver barely glanced at the bus passes offered to him.

charlie304

Hi, My partner had a stroke about 9 years ago and in order to help him we purchased a computer.
He battled on and taught himself and in the process he also ropped me into it. The best thing we ever did was to become computer wise. I recommend it to all OAPs. Snowdrop01

katenorman

Just to add my tuppence to this thread.

Digital Unite digitalunite.co.uk have been working for 8 years supporting people over 50 to get support with learning new technology and using the internet. They run Silver Surfers' Day during Adult Learners Week (end of May) and various schemes including Get Digital letsgetdigital.co.uk with sheltered housing organisations all over the county with NIACE. They also have a team of tutors who teach privatly one-2-one.

UK Online Centres ukonlinecentres.co.uk are the main government funded organisation who have not been mentioned yet. They provide free online courses called My Guide myguide.gov.uk which can be completed at any of the many centres all over England. Most of them are free of charge but check the website for local places which offer drop in sessions or several week classes.

grunnie

I am self taught just picked it up as I went along - I couldn't even type back then. Seven years ago when my husband was on a preretirement course and I was beginning to panic about having to live on a teachers pension for 5 years till the old age pension arrived I found Martin's first book in a bookshop.Came home and told my son to find that web address and the rest as they say is history.Hadn't even sat in front of a computer before. Progressed to selling my husband's old maths books on Amazon and then on to ebaying. Have made a good bit on those and also do loads of surveys which are very interesting.The internet has opened up a whole new world and have just joined facebook.