Bet gets net-wise

NEVER too old to learn . . . Julie Goodyear is taught to use a computer with help from IT tutor Thara Parveen

A FAMOUS face dropped into Oldham’s employment charity Highway to Opportunities for a tutorial on using the internet.

Julie Goodyear (68), who played feisty Bet Lynch in “Coronation Street”, has been taking part in a UK Online “It’s never too Late” campaign which encourages the over-65s to try the internet.

H20 information technology tutor Thara Parveen was on hand to give Julie a guided tour of the internet.

Thara said: “Julie hadn’t really used computers before so we started right at the beginning, using a mouse and basic computer functions, and then ended up looking at different things on the internet.

“There are so many benefits to using the internet for older people, keeping in touch with their grandchildren for example, saving money through price comparison websites, or developing family trees. You could even progress to do an online course if you wanted to.”

Reflecting on her experience of using the internet Julie, who lives in Heywood, admitted: “I didn’t know a single thing about computers and it felt like the first day of school starting to learn, but the staff were so understanding and patient that I soon stopped being nervous.

“The only mouse I used to know lived was the field mouse, but now I’ve learned how to send an e-mail and search the internet. I’m looking forward to learning more and using the internet to keep in touch with friends and buy flights online.”

She said: “A lot of older people are too embarrassed to admit they need to be shown how to use computers, but I think it’s really important to try, especially for those that feel isolated, as so much of life is now online.”