Broadband prize for silver surfers

Virgin Media and Digital Unite set up competition to give sheltered housing free computers and broadband

Virgin Media and Digital Unite have teamed up to help older people living in sheltered housing get online.

To celebrate Silver Surfers Day 2008, Virgin Media has set up a competition to give 17 sheltered housing sites a year’s free broadband internet access.

Winners will also get two new desktop computers, a printer and a year’s free technical support.

Digital Unite has also set up a seven-week course on digital literacy skills for residents at the winning homes to give them the skills they need to get started online.

According to research from the Digital Unite, in 2007 there was still a large gap between the number of young and old people accessing the internet. Nine in 10 16- to 24-year-olds had accessed the internet compared with only a quarter of those aged 65 and over.

Emma Solomon, managing director at Digital Unite, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Virgin Media to deliver more Digital Unite Community Programmes to older learners in sheltered housing.

“To be able to offer kit, connectivity, setup and support with the training is such a bonus.”

The competition will run until 23 May 2008. To enter, sheltered housing associations must visit the Digital Unite site and follow the links to download a form. They are also advised to check that the area they are in is supported by Virgin Media.