Martin celebrates 90th birthday by becoming 5,000th person to get online
Press Release
Date: 1st September 2008
A County Antrim pensioner marked his ninetieth birthday today by becoming the 5,000th person to join the digital revolution thanks to a pioneering community initiative launched 18 months ago.
Nonagenarian, Martin Armour, had his first taste of virtual life when he learned how to use a computer and surf the internet at an EverybodyOnline taster session held in partnership with BIH sheltered housing in Ballyclare this afternoon.
EverybodyOnline, a project delivered by the charity Citizens Online and jointly funded by BT and the Delivery and Innovation Division within the Department of Finance and Personnel, aims to close the digital divide by helping excluded communities get online.
Speaking after the 90-minute taster session, Mr Armour, said:
“I’ve really enjoyed today. I never imagined there was so much information on the internet. I’m very interested in history and found I can research old war archives using the internet.
“I’m going to ask my family for a laptop for my birthday as this is just wonderful.”
In 2006 Northern Ireland became the first region in Europe to have 100 per cent broadband availability. According to government figures 61 per cent of the people in Northern Ireland now use the internet on a regular basis.
Frank McManus, BT Head of Wholesale Services, said:
“BT is committed to making a positive difference to society. Access to computers and the internet can improve people’s lives by opening doors to education, jobs and entertainment. However many people are still missing out as they don’t have the opportunity or necessary skills to use the technology.
“EverybodyOnline addresses these obstacles by giving people the skills, confidence and motivation to use technology, and helping them become fully included in society.”
Since its launch EverybodyOnline has introduced older people, people with a disability and people living in the North West and Fermanagh and South Tyrone region to the benefits of digital technology by running internet taster sessions and online safety workshops, bringing the internet into sheltered housing schemes, and helping community groups have a presence online with their own website.
Basil Davidson, Digital Inclusion Manager of the Delivery and Innovation Division within the Department of Finance and Personnel, said:
“The Delivery and Innovation Division within the Department of Finance and Personnel has set out to facilitate a digitally inclusive society where all communities, families and individuals are able to embrace technology and use it to their advantage.
“We’re delighted to be involved in this initiative which is helping people overcome barriers to technology.”
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For further information contact EverybodyOnline NI Regional Manager, Tracy Armstrong, on:
M: 078 2432 7431
E: tracy.armstrong@citizensonline.org.uk
For more information log on to: www.eolni.org.uk.
Notes to editors
About EverybodyOnline
EverybodyOnline is an initiative from the UK charity Citizens Online and is jointly funded by BT and the Delivery and Innovation Division within the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland. The first EverybodyOnline pilot project was launched in August 2002 in St Stephen, Cornwall. Since then a total of 21 projects have been set up in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The EverybodyOnline programme in Northern Ireland focuses on working with older people in the community and in residential care, as well as people with a disability. There are also community-based projects in Londonderry / Derry and rural Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
These projects have already made a real difference to their communities, helping people learn new internet skills, set up bespoke community websites and overcome confidence and isolation issues.
For EverybodyOnline video clips visit: www.youtube.com/everybodyonline
About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT Group plc’s revenue was £20,704 million with profit before taxation and specific items of £2,506 million.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt
About the Department of Finance and Personnel, Delivery and Innovation Division
The Delivery and Innovation Division (DID) in the Department of Finance and Personnel provides a range of specialist business services to the NI Civil Service. Services include:
• e-Government policy
• strategic programmes
• business consultancy
• ICT shared services
DID is an amalgamation of the former e-Government Unit, Business Development Service and Public Service Improvement Unit.
For more information visit www.dpfni.gov.uk