AAA Display options

The new force combining Age Concern logo & Help the Aged logo

Myfriends Online Week

woman with laptop

Our third annual Myfriends Online Week took place 19 - 25 March 2012, helping thousands of people in later life to discover the social side of the internet. Thank you to everyone who ran an event, volunteered your time, or took part.

2012 Campaign success

This year our initial estimates are that 200 organisations and groups hosted around 300 internet taster and information sessions all across England, Wales and Scotland. Check back soon for more information about the success and impact of the week as the result come in.

Since its launch back in 2009 Myfriends Online Week has directly helped more than 7000 older people and has encouraged thousands of people of all ages to share their everyday IT skills with older friends and family members as Age UK Digital Champions.

Feedback from 2012 participants:

'In this short time I have learnt so much! I have got on to Skype and now I am going home to do it on my own!' Cindy, 65 after attending Myfriends Online Session in her local library.

'Please continue this work to connect older isolated people' - Sid, Swansea, 77

Love the 'Net

During Myfriends Online Week 2012 we asked Age UK Celebrity Ambassadors, including, Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall, June Whitfield and Tony Robinson, why they love the net and why they think we should all help older people to get online. Find out why they can't live without the internet and follow their lead by becoming an Age UK Digital Champion.

Become a Digital Champion

Pledge to share your internet knowledge and help an older person enjoy the social benefits of being online.
couple at computer

Organise your own event at any time

Just because Myfriends Online Week only takes place once a year, don’t let that stop you from running your own IT taster event whenever you want. Check out our learning resources and why not consider joining our Digital Inclusion Network?

To receive regular e-bulletin updates about Age UK's digital inclusion campaigns please email connectwithit@ageuk.org.uk.

New to the internet?

If you're new to the internet, or are helping someone who is, see our brief introductory guides to Facebook, Twitter, email, Flickr and Skype.

Watch this video to find out about last year's events and hear from the participants:

myfriends online week March 2011 myfriends online week March 2011 - We interview participants and volunteers from myfriends online week 2011 who share their thoughts on learning about technology and talk about their feelings at the end of their taster session

You need to have a minimum of flash 9 installed.
Click here to get the latest version.

If you can't see the video above, you will need flash player to view this film. opens link in new window Download the player.

Myfriends Online Week is part of Connect with IT, a digital inclusion campaign organised by Age UK.

Myfriends Online Week is a UK-wide campaign managed and delivered by Age UK in partnership with Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI.

Your Age UK

Set your location to see what Age UK offers in your local area.

Find your nearest event:
0800 169 2081

Useful information to download

  • Report on the 2009 myfriends online week, including a breakdown of participants, events and media coverage. 

  • View all downloads
    Help with downloads

    Downloads

    What is a download?

    A download is a document (like a research report, a leaflet, or an application form) that can be transferred from our website to your computer. You can download a file, view it on your screen, print it, or save it to your computer.

    What is a PDF?

    PDF stands for ‘portable document format’.

    Most downloads on this website are PDFs. We use this format to ensure that the document looks the same on everyone’s computer (website pages, by contrast, appear differently depending on how people have set their computer up).

    How do I download a PDF?

    Computers use a program called Adobe Acrobat Reader to download PDFs. If you try clicking on a link to download a PDF and it doesn’t work, you will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader onto your computer.

    How do I install Adobe Acrobat Reader?

    The process is quite straightforward and is free.

    1. Go to opens link in new window http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/
    2. Click ‘Download’.
    3. Wait for the window to offer you the option to ‘Run’, then choose this option.
    4. Click ‘Next’.
    5. Click ‘Install’
    6. Wait for the window to offer you the option to ‘Finish’, then choose this option.

    How do I change a download?

    PDFs cannot be changed. If you need to be able to type into a downloaded document (for example, if we are offering a letter template that you need to put your name on) we will provide it as a Microsoft Word document rather than a PDF. You can then download it, type into it and save it to your computer.

    How do I print or save a download?

    Downloads will open on your computer in a new browser window.

    Inside this window (below all your web browser menus), there will be a toolbar with options for you to print or save the document.

    Close the browser window to return to the Age UK website.

    Can my screen reader read PDF downloads?

    We have made every effort to make our PDFs accessible to screen readers. Here is an overview of your accessibility options available in Acrobat Reader. Please ensure that you have downloaded the latest version of Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Reader website to ensure that they are included in your version of the programme.

    You can use Adobe Reader to read a PDF out loud with the following shortcut keys:

    • Read the document: Shift +Ctrl+Y
    • Read the open page only: Shift +Ctrl+V
    • Read to the end of the document: Shift+Ctrl+B
    • Pause: Shift+Ctrl+C
    • Stop Shift+Ctrl+E

    You can also convert a PDF into a web page by following these steps:

    • Copy the URL (web address) of the document (right-click on the link and select ‘Save target as’ or ‘Copy link’).
    • Open the Adobe online conversion tool in your browser and paste the URL into the URL box.
    • Tick the HTML box on the Format option and click ‘Convert’.

    You can convert a PDF document into a text file for use with other software and hardware such as Braille printers by opening the PDF and choosing ‘Save as text’ from the File menu.

Older man using a laptop

Donate a PC

Why not donate your old PC to Age UK so that older people in your area can get online?

Search for your nearest event

Find your local myfriends online week event

Close window
Display options

Set the appearance of this website so you can read it more easily

Text size

Background/foreground


To see information relating to Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales set your preference below: