Tea, cakes and computers at Aylsham care home

Tea and cake are on offer to older people who might need a bit of a sweetener to help them take the plunge and use a computer.

Aylsham Manor Care Home is pioneering a scheme aimed at encouraging senior citizens living in the area to drop in and learn a new skill, surrounded by home comforts.

And the initiative, boosted by a government grant, has been hailed as an example of the Big Society by Broadland MP Keith Simpson who attended its launch yesterday.

The home has used the Get Connected-Scie(DoH) grant, to buy two computers which are specially designed with touch screens and large keyboards for use by elderly people.

Carl Denis, co-owner of the home, will run tutorials based on the Simply Unite system, to help those who have never used a computer.

He and his wife Denise hope it will open doors for those who might want to use the internet for a range of projects, including researching the cheapest place to buy fuel, buying groceries online, developing a spreadsheet of their household expenses, or keeping in touch with family in far-flung parts of the world.

Mr Simpson said he applauded and encouraged the home for its initiative which was a 'classic example' of the Big Society. He added: 'It's something locally based, fired by a little government start-up money, providing a useful service.'

Tea, Cakes and Computers will run on Mondays and Tuesdays, from 10am-noon and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2.30pm-4.30pm.

Sessions will cost �2, to cover refreshments, with a one-off fee of �10 for the tutorials.

To find out more, or register, telephone 01263 733253.