Where I cover: South East London: SE4, SE6, SE8, SE14, SE15, SE21, SE22, SE23, SE24, SE25 and SE26, Croydon and Thornton Heath

To contact Andene, click here

Availability: I am flexible regarding times please contact me to discuss

What I teach:

• Compiling a CV to present your career history in the best light
• Job-searching on-line
• Applying for Jobs on-line
• Computing basics for complete beginners
• Use of the Internet.
• Setting up and using E-mail.
• Microsoft Office 2003, 2007 and 2010.
• Word processing.
• Spreadsheets.
• Presentations – slide shows.
• Publications – posters, newsletters, etc.

If there is anything else not listed that you want to learn about I will help if I can or try to point you in the direction of someone who can.

About me:
The core of my experience has been in the fields of human resources and training. I worked in Local Government for over 12 before starting my own HR Consultancy and Training business.  I deliver corporate training in management and leadership, also training in the community on getting back to work, business start-up and personal development.  I recently set up a social enterprise in my local community to deliver free training to the unemployed and hard to reach.

Where I cover: Hounslow, Isleworth, Brentford, Twickenham, Hanwell and West Ealing (Postcode areas: TW1; TW2; TW3; TW4; TW5; TW7; TW8; W7 & W13) and the following districts: St. Margarets, Strawberry Hill, Whitton, Heston, Osterley and Boston Manor.

To contact Robin, click here.

Availability: I am very flexible regarding times and am currently available 7 days per week

What I teach:

• XP, Vista and Windows 7
• Mac 0S X
• Microsoft Office & other Office Suites
• Email
• Web Browsing
• Social Networking
• eBay, Amazon and Buying/Selling Online
• Transferring Photographs and Music
• Internet Security
• Hardware Installation & Configuration
• WIFI and Printing
• Troubleshooting

About me:

The core of my experience has been in the fields of Finance and Broadcasting, having worked for the Royal Bank of Canada for 10 years then BSkyB and the BBC for 7 years. My roles have varied from Management, Server Support through to Desktop Support roles on a contract basis over the last 4 years, most recently with the Olympic Delivery Authority.

I have lived in Isleworth with my wife for over 20 years. We have two daughters aged 19 and 16. I come from a large extended family spread across the South of England and have provided regular PC support to many of them and a large number of friends and local concerns.

I have a keen interest in all areas of IT and always endeavour to keep up to date with the latest trends and innovations.

Where I cover: Woodford, South Woodford, Snaresbrook, Leytonstone, Wanstead, Manor Park, Ilford, Barking, Barkingside, Chigwell, Buckhurst Hill.

To contact Morgan, click here.

Availability: By appointment.

What I teach:

• Using computers and the internet
• Word, Excel, Power Point etc
• Communications with email, instant messaging and audio / video
• Security and keeping safe online
• Understanding computers, the components and making the most of them

About me:

I guess I’ve been in love with Personal Computers ever since Sir Clive Sinclair produced the ZX81 and later when I acquired my own BBC micro computer, wow! Fast forward to Windows with Plug-and-Play, it was like ‘rock-n-roll’. Things are very different now but I like to think my enthusiasm hasn’t changed as much as the technology.

Helping people learn about computers and the internet is a wonderful experience and one which always gives me a real sense of achievement.

When I’m not in front of the screen (or asleep)? Spanish Guitar (playing and learning), travelling and mixing with people of different cultures are my things!

Where I cover: Bromley, Oxted and surrounding areas

To contact Jim, click here.

Availability: During the weekday. Evenings and weekends by arrangement.

What I teach:

• Microsoft products. Word, Excel, etc
• Personal Computer Knowledge
• Installing software
• Advice on Computer setup and maintenance.
• Internet & Email

About me:

I spent many years in the IT business, it wasn’t called IT when I started, in large corporate companies. I used PCs at work as an office tool and it grew on me.

Since leaving the corporate stage I started to help small to medium sized companies develop their IT functions and train their staff. During that period I also joined a company called Wrinklies Direct. This was an employment agency specifically for the elderly.  Whilst there I was helping people to understand PCs and to write their CVs on them, email their CVs to prospective employers and look for jobs on the Internet. Sharing my knowledge with people and small companies who appreciated my help has been very satisfying for me and the students. I heard about Hairnet, Digital Unite (DU) as it is called now, and it seemed I was thinking along the same lines. I joined DU and I began tutoring people, especially the elderly, about PCs, what they could do on them and what they wanted to do with them.

I am an Accredited Digital Champion and a tutor-assessor for the Digital Unite Academy.

Where I cover: SW London  – Tooting, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Merton, Lambeth.

To contact Debbie, click here.

Availability: Weekday daytimes.

About me

I am originally from Wales but have lived in London since the mid 80′s and worked in publishing or marketing for most of these years. I am passionate about the role that computers can play in peoples lives not just for research (such as family history) but also for elderly and disabled people to maintain independence.

When not working for DU I work for a charity that teaches disabled people computer skills in their own home.  A large number of these students are visually impaired and the benefits are amazing – it allows them to email, do home shopping or to use a scanner to read post.

What I Teach

• Internet & Email
• Word
• Basic Excel
• PowerPoint
• Publisher
• Scanners
• Digital Photography
• Apple Mac
• Accessibility Technology, including JAWs, Supernova, ZoomText, Lunar, Dragon Naturally Speaking, TextHelp Read and Write, Inspiration.

Where I cover: My local area, covers Southeast London and Northwest Kent and I also visit the Isle of Wight.

This includes Beckenham, Bromley, Chislehurst, Eynsford, Hayes, Orpington, Otford, Sevenoaks, Shoreham, Sidcup, Swanley, Westerham and West Wickham.

By special arrangement, I also teach anywhere on the Isle of Wight.  This includes Bembridge, Cowes, Freshwater, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor and Yarmouth.

To contact Tim, click here.

What I teach:

• Computer Basics.
• Email & Internet.
• Online Shopping.
• Skype (Internet Telephony).
• Remote Assistance.
• Photo Editing – Basic & Advanced.
• Creating Websites – Basic & Advanced.
• Home Network Setup Including WiFi.
• Basic Security, Backup & Recovery.
• Microsoft Office (or similar office products).

I will also help you resolve any issues that you may have with your Internet Service Provider.

Availability:

Daytime, evening and weekends for my local area.
By special arrangement for the Isle of Wight.

About me

I live in Bromley, Kent but my family comes from the Isle of Wight where I still spend some time.

My career in computers started in 1977, working on large IBM systems mainly as a freelance programmer and tester.  During that time I worked for a number of well known companies including Esso, Sainsbury’s and London Electricity and had the opportunity of working overseas in Saudi Arabia, Australia and The Netherlands.

I left the large corporations behind in 1999 and started teaching myself web skills.  The first web site I built was for the Vectis Astronomical Society.

From this small step into the world of the Internet, I now work from home providing office IT support and web development services to small local businesses.  I also work with my local photographic shop where I offer an image recovery service to customers who have accidentally erased or lost pictures from their digital cameras.

Why did I join Digital Unite?

I enjoy helping people to get the most out of their computers, to pursue their hobbies and interests and make their lives easier in all kinds of ways.  Working with someone on a one-to-one basis and helping them solve problems is very rewarding.

Special interests

• Building web galleries of holiday photos,
• Restoring old family photos using Photoshop,
• Web development.

Where I Cover: London Boroughs of Greenwich, Lewisham and parts of Bexley plus Surrey Quays.

My usual stamping ground covers Blackheath, Charlton, Eltham, Greenwich, Lee, Shooters Hill, Lewisham, Woolwich, New Cross and Welling.

To contact Emily, click here.

Availability: Mainly Monday to Friday daytime but I will consider occasional evenings or weekends.

What I teach

• Computer beginners
• Office software, in particular:
  - Word
  - Powerpoint
  - Publisher
  - Basic Excel
  - Basic Access
• Email and Internet
• Digital Photographs
• ECDL
• Setting up a new computer

About me

I was lucky enough to be in the 6th form at one of the first schools to have its own computer and I have used them ever since. When I worked for Sealink (now Stena Line) I found myself as the first PC (personal computer) support person giving advice and support to users of the first desktop computers to appear in the office. I left Sealink just before Windows became widely used. I really enjoyed the teaching aspect of my job when I worked individually with computer users. After leaving Sealink I have been based at home and was first introduced to the modern world of PCs with Windows through the computers we have at home.  Initially I was helping my children with homework and my husband with his business. At first I was self taught but found the documentation available for self teaching very unsatisfactory so I signed up to some courses at in order to get myself up to date.

Whilst on one computer course I found myself helping other students who were starting from scratch and who found the class situation rather overwhelming.  I gave some one-to-one help which gave them the confidence they needed to get through.  I found this really rewarding.  I also helped both my parents to start using a computer when they were over 75. My mother always said that she preferred my more patient approach to that of my teenage son who was a bit of a ‘whiz kid’. She went on to use the computer for email, shopping, letters, memoir writing, viewing family photos and for banking.  When she heard of Digital Unite through a friend in North London she encouraged me to find out more. I nearly trained as a teacher twice in the past and the Digital Unite approach appealed to me so I decided to join up.

I work part time teaching a teaching a variety of people how to make the most of their computers.  I teach in people’s homes, offices or sheltered accommodation, wherever their computer is.  I prefer not to deal with too many technical issues but I am prepared to advise especially when someone is starting with a new computer that needs setting up from scratch.

My other main interests are my family and music. I started in my first choir when I was 6 and have only stopped occasionally since.

Where I cover: Northwest London and Southwest Hertfordshire.

Harrow, Watford, Ruislip, Eastcote, Rayners Lane, West Harrow, Harrow on the Hill, Kingsbury, Edgware, Stanmore, Borehamwood, Elstree and Radlett.

To contact Brian, click here.

Availability: Weekdays between 09.00 and 17.00, ending a little earlier on Fridays. Evenings by special arrangement..

What I teach

Anything allowing people to use a Computer as a productivity tool and take the mystery out of this technology. This ranges from:

• Word processing (writing letters, documents, reports, address labels for special occasions, etc)
• Spreadsheets for those interested in some aspects of financial accounts control (from easy to more challenging) and maintaining some type of records-base
• Presentation software (such as PowerPoint)
• Embracing the INTERNET; setting up for, and using, email; browsing (surfing) the ‘world-wide-web’ and using the Internet for research and shopping
• Diary management, using the computer to maintain a calendar of events
• Photo manipulation, managing digital photos and creating albums, etc
• Assisting with computer set-up, explaining the parts, installing software and general system maintenance tasks

About me

I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, qualified as an Electrical Engineer and after working for a few years in Johannesburg moved firstly to the UK, then to the USA and Canada for almost 20 years before being transferred back to Europe 15 years ago. My career has always been centred on Computers, and for more than 30 years I have grown with all the technology witnessing, and being involved with, many of the changes.

A large part of my work over the years has been training people, in the use of Computers at all levels, and it is this experience as well as my extra-curricular activities working with charitable organisations which I bring to the Digital Unite group of specialists.

My many years of experience in the IT industry is currently valuable to me as I consult and advise Boards of companies on strategic matters which includes working with a number of North American companies who want to enter the European market.

Why did I join Digital Unite?

In these days when IT impinges on all aspects of our lives, I am very aware of how many members of the older generation are disadvantaged as a result of either not being familiar, or comfortable, with Computers. Having heard about Digital Unite through a friend and researching what they do, I realised how suitable my skills and business experience would be to addressing the challenge of training and educating the older generation. It is natural that as technology progresses, particularly at the pace of recent years, the younger generation embraces it with ease, whilst the more mature amongst us are more resistive and fearful; I look forward to the opportunity to help people overcome this hurdle, which is more perception than reality.