Brisbane Seniors Online (BSOL) has been operating in the Greater Brisbane area for more than 20 years helping seniors and over 50s become computer and internet savvy.
Volunteer male and female mentors are available to provide home tuition to learners who need help. Lessons are conducted in the learner’s own home on their own device and at a pace that suits them.
As a guide, around 12 hours of lessons are provided and the membership covers lessons and support for one year.
New learners living in the Greater Brisbane area who are seniors or over 50 are welcome to join.
A modest fee to join applies. Brisbane Seniors Online is also looking for more volunteer mentors in many areas that are in the BSOL coverage area.
Seniors and over 50s can become socially isolated and more so during the coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions that have applied.
More transactions are now being done online with the closure of shop fronts and more people doing online shopping, banking transactions and bill paying online.
With families spread across Australia and overseas, social media and applications like Zoom and Skype have become a fantastic way to stay connected. Email is also an important way to stay in touch and send family pictures. This is particularly important where travel restrictions have applied or there is a risk of being stranded away from home if travel is suspended or lockdowns are imposed.
Internet is also a valuable method of streaming movies and watching catch-up television programs that people have missed.
Reading books online on mobile phones or tablets is also becoming more popular.
Brisbane Seniors Online can assist learners how to confidently use modern technology and help to use it safely and minimise the risk of scams and cybercrime which cost Australians millions of dollars in fraud.
Special interest groups that meet in person or by Zoom are Senior Shutterbugs digital photography, Apple, Linux (by Zoom) and Mentor Support. Some areas of Brisbane run technology clinics monthly or bi-monthly at the local Council library.
New learners pay a one-off joining fee of $20 and $45 for one year’s membership for 12 hours of home lessons and ongoing support for the membership year.
Volunteer mentors join for no cost and after induction, ongoing training and support is available.
Brisbane Seniors Online would like to thank the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for their recent financial support.
For more information see www.bsol.asn.au or phone 3393 2225 or Facebook.com/BrisbaneSeniorsOnline
