A SCHEME helping older people in Oxfordshire get on the internet has doubled its work in its first year alone.

Oxfordshire County Council now has 70 'digital helpers' working across the county's 43 libraries helping people to get online and explore the web.

The project sees volunteers hang out at library communities waiting for people to drop in and ask for tips on using computers or mobile phones.

The helpers' aim to gently encourage people to ‘have a go’, to show the benefits that the internet can bring.

This ranges from using Skype to keep in touch with relatives abroad to learning how to cook a healthy meal or finding free learning opportunities such as with ‘FutureLearn’.

Among the digital helpers is retired IT specialist Bryan Rugg, who volunteers at Kidlington Library.

During Get Online Week this week, the 74-year-old is once again passing on his expertise from more than 20 years working in IT.

Mr Rugg offers advice on Thursdays, and like many digital helpers this can be a one-to-one session booked in advance or simply helping someone with a specific problem in a drop-in session.

Mr Rugg said: “It’s the upper age who tend to come in, but I would always say that age is no barrier.

"It’s a perception thing: people tend to mistrust things they can’t kick – they are a bit iffy about it.

“I try to keep it as general as I can: I’ll go through the whole process of setting up an email address and that tends to open doors to most things.

"Once they have mastered that they are starting to gather the knowledge."

Mr Rugg said that one of the biggest areas of interest was using Skype – the free internet phone and video call service.

He added: "It’s a fairly simple procedure to get people set up on their tablet or computer and means they can stay in touch with their families wherever they are in the world.”

The council launched its digital helpers scheme last autumn.

Since then the number of volunteers performing the role has more than doubled and in 2017-2018, 1,620 hours were given by digital helpers to help others.

Roy Lancaster, a digital helper who volunteers at Thame Library, said: “Some people have been in for several sessions and it’s very gratifying to see them progress – particularly people who’ve been given or just bought a device who were unable to use it but can now find their way around it after help.

“I’ll give people help with mobile phones, tablets and laptops on Apple, Android and Windows platforms. It’s just making them familiar with their devices.”

Asked for his top tip, Mr Lancaster said: "Take care creating and using passwords and the like – you wouldn’t leave your house with your front door wide open."

For more information visit oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraries or ring your local library.