YOUNG computer whizzes in Christchurch have been called upon to help older residents with current technology.

A new community initiative has been launched in the borough to help people struggling with IT to overcome the technical issues.

And while it’s not unusual for schools in Dorset and elsewhere to invite the elderly into their IT classrooms to practice on the school’s own computers, now the two generations meet out of school, allowing the senior students to learn on their own equipment.

The meeting place is at the Priory Church, in Priory House, where the seniors have the benefit of being taught on a one-to-one basis by IT savvy 13 to 15-year-olds from the town’s Twynham School.

Both generations were gaining a lot from the experience, said Christine Westlake, the church’s outreach chairman.

“Particularly in the first week the youngsters quickly started to adapt the way they spoke to their students, to suit them better,” she added.

One particularly pleased senior student was Brenda Shelley who was able, for the first time, to use her iPad to “Skype” friends in Florida. And Adam Winter, a young leader for Student Voice at Twynham, said the project had been a real hit with their students as well.

They valued the opportunity to develop their own communication skills and to help bridge the gap between the different generations.

Until February half term the 15 young instructors were working in school time. After that their weekly classes will run in their own time for an hour after school, at least until Easter.

“It just shows how willing they are to give this community service,” said Christine.