PHOTO-sharing online can make a huge difference to the lives of older people, but many lack confidence in their digital skills, a workshop has concluded.

Digital pioneers from the over 60 age bracket gathered at Oxford Brookes University on Tuesday to share their thoughts for a new research study.

The Oxfordshire-based participants, who all use the internet regularly to share their news and pictures, discussed how to open up the online world to more of their peers.

Summertown resident Avril Lethbridge, who started her own website called Silver Robin for older people in Oxford, said: "It is a wonderful tool to help bring people together.

"It's amazing, just listening to everybody talk about how they can connect with their families all over the world.

"Loneliness is a far bigger problem than many of us realise and this could help enormously with that.

"I'm lucky, I have my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to help me out if I press the wrong button but many aren't that fortunate and we need to do more to help each other."

The 86-year-old is starting to work with schools such as the Oxford Academy to link older and younger people together to share skills.

Led by Oxford Brookes researcher Dr Sarah Quinton and Shailey Minocha, a professor at the Open University, the project is hoping to discover how older people can use social media to reduce isolation and loneliness.

It is being piloted in Oxford and Milton Keynes with a view to expanding into a nationwide study.

Findings will be used to make suggestions to policy makers on how to encourage more older people to use and interact with the internet.

The workshop was the first to be held with another session planned for February 23 for those who are not confident online.

Dr Quinton said: "It was a very interesting first session which has given us a lot to think about.

"Many things surprised us, for example a lot of the older people are using Whatsapp which is generally considered to be a younger person's tool.

"What came out clearly is the need for human interaction and the need to connect with others.

"Technology can help a lot with that but can also add to the feelings of isolation for people who do not feel confident in their skills.

"A lot of informal training goes on from friends and family but it's clear more can be done."

Findings from the study, which is funded by the Sir Halley Stewart Trust, will be published in the autumn.

Age UK Oxfordshire and the North Oxford Rotary Club are assisting the researchers by providing participants.

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