Basingstoke teenager Ariane Tayki helps older people with computing (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Basingstoke teenager Ariane Tayki helps older people with computing

7:00pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in Local By Dan Cooper

A BASINGSTOKE teenager is helping more senior citizens to become silver surfers.

Ariane Tayki is running a campaign to encourage more of Hampshire’s senior citizens to improve their computer skills.

Ariane, 16, was inspired after helping her parents to use the internet, and she has now organised computer sessions at Basingstoke Discovery Centre and in community halls to help others brush up on their skills.

She has already made an impact, helping a neighbour to save money on long-distance phone calls to relatives in Togo by introducing them to Skype video-calling.

Tayki said: “It has been really interesting to see the older people’s reaction when they see someone like me – a teenager – wanting to show them new skills.

“I think I’ve definitely changed their state of mind so they no longer see the younger generation as lazy or selfish.

“Older people can often feel isolated, but getting them on to the computer opens up a new world of opportunities to them.”

Simon Anthony, 69, who attended one of Ariane’s sessions, agreed.

“I think it’s very encouraging to see someone so young being willing to help older people and be sympathetic. She’s doing a good job,” he said.

Ariane has received support from the award-winning Fixers project, the national movement of young people aged between 16 and 25 who are interested in fixing the future.

The project has already supported almost 7,000 young people across the UK in helping them to have a voice in their local community.