BT Internet Ranger of the Year, England and overall winner
Jenny Pidgley, 14
“I’m really pleased I am able to pass on my IT skills to older people because it’s a way of updating people’s lives so they don’t feel stuck in the past. The worst bit for them is the fear of new technology – but once they get past that they realise it’s so easy to use.”
Watch Jenny in action (link to video)
Jenny has shown her commitment to helping bridge the digital divide by running free computer sessions at her school for the last two years, taking on the responsibility from her older brother. The sessions are fortnightly on Saturdays and are run in connection with Age Concern, New Forest East. Jenny teaches basic IT skills such as using the internet and sending e-mails and often visits those that cannot attend to share her skills.
Jenny was nominated by Jean Adams from Age Concern New Forest East who helps run the classes. Jean said: “It is important to promote intergenerational projects like this because it is far too often that young people get bad press. Jenny is patient has a very mature attitude to helping other people, some of whom have a slower learning rate or mobility or hearing problems.”
Jenny was presented with her prize as the overall winner, of a laptop and £500 of IT vouchers by Martha Lane Fox, the Government’s Digital Champion, at a special event held on 10th March at the 5th National Digital Inclusion Conference. Martha Lane Fox said: "Jenny is a great example of how young people can help get older people online. If just another half a million teenagers follow her lead, we can have everyone online by 2012."
BT Internet Ranger of the Year, Scotland
Jake Leitch, 12
“I really enjoy using computers and it’s great that I can use them to help my mum too. I have found being a teacher challenging, but really fun and it has helped me understand more about the symptoms of and caring for people who have had strokes”
Jake was nominated for the award by his mother, Jackie Leitch, who suffered a stroke two years ago and has been cared for by her son ever since. As well as helping out with everyday activities such as shopping, cooking, and washing, Jake has given his mum a new lease of life by teaching her valuable IT skills; from helping her regain the vocabulary she lost through the stroke, to connecting her with people who have found themselves in similar situations through e-mail and instant messaging services.
Jackie said: “When you’ve had a stroke, you often think you’re alone, but you’re not – and being able to speak to people who have had similar experiences has helped me realise this. I have had a lot of support from my hospital, family and friends but to know that other people understand and share exactly what you’re going through is invaluable, and the fact that Jake has so patiently taught me how to do this makes me incredibly proud.”
BT Internet Ranger of the Year, Wales
Nathan Jones, 16
“The award has given me a great boost, and I will continue to teach other people how to use PCs and the internet”
Nathan has been sharing his IT expertise with members of the Prestatyn Cricket Club, where he has been playing since he was eight years old. His teaching role began two years ago when he helped the Club switch from a manual paper scoring method to online scoring. His involvement there spurred him onto teach older club members how to use the PC more widely. Nathan has showed members how to research hobbies, simple surfing of the net and in one instance has showed one member how to communicate with family who emigrated to Australia.
Bernadette Horton, Vice-Chair of Prestatyn Cricket Club, nominated Nathan for the award, she said: “Not only has Nathan helped update the club’s methods of scoring, but he’s also taken the time to educate many of our members about the benefits of the internet. Nathan believes, as do I, that digital inclusion is really important, so he thoroughly deserves the award.”
Nathan was presented with a BT laptop and £250 of IT vouchers by BT representative, Geraint Strello and Assembly Member for Vale of Clwyd, Ann Jones at a special event held at Prestatyn Cricket Club. Ann Jones said:“Bridging the digital divide is essential to ensuring we do not alienate a whole generation from the benefits of technology. It’s something we simply cannot achieve without the help of young people, such as Nathan.”
BT Internet Ranger of the Year, Northern Ireland
Nuala O’Neill, 14
“I was delighted to hear that my mum had nominated me and I couldn’t believe it when we heard that I’d won! I really enjoy teaching my family how to use the computer. I think it’s really important to use the internet because otherwise people could find themselves isolated. ”
Over the years, Nuala has helped her entire family realise the potential of the internet. She taught her 11 year old autistic brother, Ciaran, how to play games on the computer. She also developed her father, Brendan’s, IT skills, Nuala also showed him how to reconstruct his CV and search for new jobs after he was made redundant.
After hearing about the competition from her teacher, Miss. Downey, Nuala was nominated by her mother, Bernie, who also had very basic IT knowledge before Nuala shared her technological expertise. Bernie said: “I’m really proud of Nuala for all the work she has done to teach so many different people how to use the internet. It has had a huge, positive impact on our whole family.”