Volunteers logging-on to life-changing experience

FIRM friends . . . back row, from left: Ann Greenwood, Stuart Vickers, Lindsay Pateman and Anthony Spelman. Front: Trish Harrison and Mary Smith

A TEAM of dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to make sure every detail of the document they are typing up is correct.

They scrutinise the Internet for relevant photographs and spend time and effort making sure the finished product is perfect.

They are Log On members, part of Age Concern’s Life Story project, and they are creating something that the borough’s care home residents can cherish for ever.

The volunteers are fully trained and meet once a week to transfer information gathered by another team on to the computer ready for printing.

When this is finished, the documents are transformed into book form and the Log On volunteers visit the care homes to present them to residents.

Firm friendships have been formed between Log On members, and the training they have received has seen them progress to additional courses giving them the confidence for which they have always been searching.

Volunteer Anthony Spelman left school with no qualifications and spiralled into depression when he was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome.

But the 66-year-old from Failsworth turned his life around when he saw a leaflet for Log On four years ago.

He said: “I was doing a beginners computer course when I heard about Log On so I thought I would give it a go.

“It’s given me lots of confidence and I have made lots of friends.

“I would recommend it to anyone as it can really transform your life. If I can do it, anyone can — it’s all about taking the first step.

“I used to have really bad problems with my nerves and Log On has spurred me on to bigger and better things. I have picked myself up and turned myself around. It’s been life-changing for me.”

Since he joined Log On, Anthony has become a First Choice Homes board member in Failsworth and he sits on the National Learning Panel which meets regularly to hear about new government policy on learning.

He won a Regional Senior Learner Award from the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education and is continuing with his computer studies.

Log On leader Lindsay Pateman is looking for volunteers to help run the weekly sessions which are held at Age Concern in Church Lane on Mondays at 10am and 1pm.

Experience of Microsoft Publisher is essential and the role includes a teaching element as some volunteers may need help and advice. Anyone interested can call Lindsay on 0161-633 0213.