Report into public services going online

Responding to research out today by the Bevan Foundation which claims a third of people in Wales could miss out as public services go online, Victoria Lloyd of Age Cymru says:

“Initiatives like itea and biscuits week - which is being run this week by Age Cymru in association with partners across Wales, gives older people the opportunity to learn about technology, how it works and understand how it can be enhance their lives.

“Age Cymru feels that we need more initiatives like itea and biscuits week to allow older people to access and use technology as it can offer a vital portal to information and advice for them.

“But it is important to remember that while we do need to be better at communicating the benefits of embracing technology to older people, there will always be some people who for a variety of reasons will not be able to use the internet.

“Given the high use of public services by older people it is vital that these agencies continue to provide information and advice in a variety of formats, otherwise they will risk excluding older people.”