Sixth Formers from Hatch End High School have been helping local older people to learn computing skills as part of the Trans-Age Project. Local residents of the Parkfield House (Willow Housing and Care - Sheltered Scheme) opposite Headstone Lane station expressed an interest in learning how to use basic computing functions and also more sophisticated skills such as how to download music on to an i-pod and how to shop on-line. Residents arrived at Hatch End High School for their first lesson last Thursday afternoon and spent an hour with one-to-one tuition from a Sixth Form student.

The older people expressed delight in being back in school after so long and more than a dozen attended the first class with relish. One student commented, "Usually it is older people who teach and pass on their experience to younger people, but it is really great this time for it to be the other way round." The students are encouraged by the school to take part in such local and voluntary projects in order to widen their own horizons and also give something back to the community that is supporting them through their education.

It is hoped that this collaboration between Hatch End High, Trans-Age Project and Willow Housing will continue after the initial six weeks of lessons and that other local residents may also be able to benefit from the skills that the young people have to offer. The students are so enthusiastic about working with the senior citizens that they intend to record the stories of their lives when younger in a 'book of memories' which will be presented to their class of older people at the end of the computer course.