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October 2005: Surfers Net
Another Award
Get Up +Go Awards 2004 – 2005 Edinburgh Silver Surfers
Runner Up Award:- Challenging Stereotypes’ category
 The
Edinburgh Silver Surfers (ESS) were invited to the Edinburgh Council
city chambers in order to receive a Runner Up place Get Up + Go
award for their outstanding work on the
ESS website which has
to date been viewed by a staggering 500,000+ visitors. The annual
awards are hosted by the Get Up +Go partnership which consists of ‘A
City for All ages’, Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian and Edinburgh
Leisure and aim to “Recognise excellent contribution and support to
older people” within the Edinburgh area.
The Silver Surfers had been nominated for an award under the
‘Challenging Stereotypes’ category. The title of the category was
particularly apt as even before the launch of their website in
November of 2003, the surfers web design club had posed a challenge
to the stereotype of ‘Auld Yuns an’ the Web’. The club was formed by
a group of former clients from the Internet Taster Session course
hosted by Age Concern Edinburgh Information Technology (ACE IT).
Having become friends during their initial training, the group
wished to expand the computer skills they had learned and suggested
the creation of a website aimed at the 50+ age group.
 ACE
IT were only to happy to offer their full support and have provided
both webspace and the advice and assistance of a web designer.
However, while back up and support has always been on hand, every
element of the website from layout and design to images and text
content is the work of the surfers themselves.
“The sheer enthusiasm of the group for what they are doing is one of
the main reasons behind the success of the ESS website”. Said the
club’s web designer PoL Steele. “Over the last 18 months I’ve
watched them go from ‘We’ll never be able to do it!’... to ‘Is this
how we do it?’.. to ‘It’s OK PoL, we’ve already done it!’.” He went
on to say “I’m very proud of the club and they richly deserve this
award. Well done one and all!”
 Jenny
Ridge said
“We are delighted to receive another award from the Get Up +Go
programme this and we extend our warm wishes to the other winners in
all categories. We are currently moving offices… Watch this space
for further news.
Silver Surfer Kath Wilkie said “I was very proud to be included in
the ceremony and was thrilled when Margaret stepped up to receive
our award. It’s all down to Jenny and the ACE IT team and I am so
grateful for all the help I get from them all.”
After a short summer break, the surfers are currently helping the
ACE IT team move into their new offices in Dalry’s Caledonian
Crescent. However, the time off wasn’t wasted but used to gather a
wide range of new material for their website. “There are exciting
changes in the pipeline” Said web designer PoL Steele. “Several new
sections of the website will be launched over the Autumn season. All
I can say is the surfers look like continuing to live up to their
reputation for breaking new ground.. and all the rules”.
To find out more you will have to join us at
www.edinburghsilversurfers.co.uk |
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