A SERVICE dedicated to getting older people online in Wem is celebrating its fifth year of operation.

The Getting Older Adults Online (Goal) has been helping over 55s develop their computer skills for the last five years, after it was formed in 2013 to help older people learn about the benefits of the IT world.

With the help Richard and Dee Lear, the group started in The Castle Hotel using a community room, while many groups in Wem supported by providing funds to purchase IT equipment.

Philip Moyse, a Wem councillor and part of GOAL, said: "With the number of people attending we looked for other premises and were fortunate enough to be offered a place in Edinburgh House by Shropshire Housing Association who not only supported us financially but also provided a community room for us to work in.

"It is an ideal situation due to parking and easy availability for the disabled. During our five years we have helped 170 people with all sorts of computer training from basic skills through to buying goods on the internet, in some cases have saved people hundreds of pounds on purchasing car and/or house insurance.

"We have moved with the times and now help people with iPads and Android tablets as well as mobile phones.

"Initially we started on Tuesday mornings and we now have additional sessions on Friday mornings to meet demand. We now have seven tutors; three on a Tuesday, three and four on Fridays. Altogether we have four one-hour learning sessions across both days.

"GOAL training is different, not because it is free, but also because we offer one to one tuition. You can come to us until you feel you are ready to move on, there is no time restrictions.

"We manage our waiting list by initially inviting people to visit the area we work in and the ambiance we have with our members. The team also help disabled people in their own homes."

GOAL thanked supporters, including Wem LJC, The Castle, Shropshire Housing Association and the Mid – Counties Community Fund which helped improve and update the Community Group requirements.

For more, head to https://goalcommunitygroup.wordpress.com/our-goals/