The original “Silver Surfers” was a project created by Lesmahagow Development Trust to deliver basic computer training to residents of Lesmahagow. LDT have been accredited by the British Computer Society to deliver these courses and the first class we delivered was Computer and Online Basics; an 8 week course targeted at those who have no prior knowledge of computing. Due to the high demand for this course, it has been repeated a number of times and it has always had a high uptake.

The Basics Course was supplemented with a Follow On, taking the graduates of the basic course to the next level and an ECDL Course. ECDL is recognised by employers throughout Europe and is aimed at those who have maybe taken a career break but want to have the necessary computer skills in place to get back into the job market. An internet connection from home is required for this course.

The Silver Surfers Project was run in partnership with RVS until the RVS Office was closed in early 2017. This left us without a venue and tutor and so the courses had to be put on hold.

When the Lesmahagow Development Trust office opened at 56 Abbeygreen, we started a new Computer Training Course in that venue which was well attended and ran successfully to completion. 

The laptops and equipment used for these courses and services were funded by a Comic Relief grant.