Digital savvy youngsters from Gateacre School joined older online novices on a tour around Liverpool’s landmark Radio City Tower, to celebrate getting online together.

People, aged 50 to 80 plus, from Riverside’s newest Retirement Living complex, Joseph Williams Mews in Belle Vale, joined forces with their younger counterparts in the area last month, as part of the national campaign Get Online Week.

The initiative was supported by Bauer Media Radio City and its training academy, in a bid to encourage generations to come together to enjoy the benefits of the internet. The group received a certificate and a tour of the tower to congratulate them for their efforts.

Laura Woodward is Riverside’s community engagement officer, she said: “It was great to see older people at Joseph Williams Mews community hub getting to grips with online skills. Some were amazed to find their interests come to life with access to films, music and information, as well as the opportunity to connect with distant family and friends through Skype, and experience the convenience of online shopping.”

The digital hub is open weekly, with youngsters from the school visiting regularly.

Riverside tenant and community champion, Margi Kelly, added: “We all have varying levels of IT skills. Sometimes older people can become quite isolated.  

It’s fantastic to see people coming along who have found a new lease of life – not only by meeting others at the digital hub, but also being able to get in touch with long lost friends and relatives online.”

Riverside is arranging another event in the New Year to bridge the generation gap once again at Joseph Williams Mews’ digital hub.