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Prudential UK goes silver surfing with Age Concern

Released by Prudential UK on 26 May 2005

As part of Adult Learners' Week(1), Prudential UK will run a 'Silver Surfers' workshop at Age Concern Westminster's Leonora Club, on Friday 27th May. The workshop will involve training on how to use the internet including advice on internet security, as well as sessions on word processing and other software packages. The workshop will be run by Prudential IT staff, supported by Age Concern's staff at the Leonora Club.

Swati Patel, Community Pru(2) Manager said: "Prudential is delighted to be supporting Age Concern with their Silver Surfers event. As well as understanding how to use technology to keep in touch with family and friends, the training sessions also provide those attending with the opportunity to meet others and make new friends"

The Silver Surfers Project aims to introduce older people to the internet and computers. The project has already been introduced into The Leonora Club and the Convent Garden Club and Age Concern Westminster hopes to have it running in all of its Clubs and Centres by the end of the year.

Martin Davies, Chief Executive of Age Concern Westminster, said: "I am really pleased that Prudential has decided to get involved in this project. It is great to see local businesses wanting to help older people understand new technology"

Rachel Thomson, Senior Campaigns Officer at NIACE(3), added: "We are delighted that Prudential are supporting Adult Learners' Week this year in such a creative way. Learning is good for your health and your self-esteem and it's never too late to give it a go. Getting to grips with technology is, arguably, more important now than ever and Prudential's event for older people should be one of the highlights of Silver Surfers' Day in London".

- ENDS -

Notes to editors

1. Adult Learners’ Week
Adult Learners’ Week, 21st–27th May 2005, is the largest annual celebration of adult learning in the UK. It is core-funded by the Department for Education and Skills and the European Social Fund, with additional support from learndirect. More details at: www.alw.org.uk

Adults Learners’ Week 2005 will include the following national events

2. Community Pru
Community Pru is Prudential’s UK Community Involvement programme, which has a number of grassroots initiatives in 5 key operational locations: Belfast, London, Reading, Stirling and Mumbai, India. The programme identifies those partnerships and initiatives that are believed to provide Prudential with the opportunity to make the greatest impact in our local communities i.e. being a responsible “neighbour”, employer, and most importantly, being seen as an advocate for change.

3. NIACE
The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) is the leading non-government organisation for lifelong learning and exists to encourage more and different adults to engage in learning of all kinds and campaigns for, and celebrates the achievements of, all adult learners.

Media Enquiries:

Prudential
Juliette Emblem Tel: 020 7150 2657

Age Concern
Melanie Gibbons Tel: 020 7724 9347

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