Patients given a surfing lesson

Service users from The Cavell Centre were given the opportunity to surf the net and learn new computer skills through Peterborough Regional College.

The free session took place on Friday 21 May which is the national Silver Surfers’ day and is part of Adult Learners’ Week. Silver Surfers’ is targeted at the over 60’s but everyone was welcome to join the surfing lesson.

The service users from mental health wards run by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust who attended the session had mixed IT (Information Technology) ability and were all given the chance to brush up their skills and develop their knowledge of IT and the Internet.

Sonya McCullough, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust said:

‘It was an exciting opportunity for our service users to learn more IT skills and to feel comfortable about using computers. A wide range of learners came to the session on the wards, some were fairly computer literate and others beginners. Service users said they would like to have more regular IT sessions on the ward as it helped them build their confidence and they enjoyed learning new skills in a comfortable and supportive environment.”