Youngsters who help older people learn computer skills have urged teenagers to support The Oxford Times’s Give An Hour volunteering campaign.

We have teamed up with charity Age UK Oxfordshire to call on county residents to give 10,000 hours to help the elderly. Some 1,350 hours have already been given.

Young people who have been helping pensioners on an Age UK Oxfordshire computer course at Carterton Community College backed the campaign.

It caters for 33 OAPs and has five youngsters, aged 12 to 18, on hand to help out at the Upavon Way college.

Jess Swift, 16, of, Witney, is among those lending a hand.

She said: “I didn’t think it would be too hard teaching people something I know and use all the time.”

The Henry Box School student said: “It’s more just being there to chat to them and have a laugh, and not make them feel it’s going to be a complete nightmare for them.”

She said: “It might seem boring but the old people have a sense of humour on them, and every time is brilliant.”

One of those being helped out is Joan Leach, 71.

The Black Bourton resident said she “hadn’t got a clue” about computers and was “frightened” by the Internet when she first joined the course.

But she said she could now surf the web and send and receive emails. She said: “There aren’t many youngsters who would take their time to help older people — not these days.”

Age UK community development officer for west Oxfordshire Ruth Swift said it was “magical” to watch the two generations work together.

She said: “The oldies can’t believe that youngsters will give their time to work with them, and the youngsters find there are people appreciating the time they are giving.”

Anyone interested in joining our campaign should contact Age UK Oxfordshire on 01235 849407 or giveanhour@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk.

For information visit the website ageukoxfordshire.org.uk