LONELINESS and isolation can become more apparent in older age.

While it isn't exclusive to older people - research has found younger people can also feel lonely and isolated, particularly if they are settling into a new community - it is certainly an increasing problem for the more mature.

Last September Positive Minds, a grassroots based action group within Bradford District aimed at ensuring older people with depression are treated fairly and equitably, set up the Worth Connecting Project.

Funded through the closure of the Bradford & District Association for Mental Health Charity, the pilot project

developed out of feedback from projects within the Worth Valley including NOTHY and The Welcome Project working with older people in the Worth Valley.

Research from the 'Older People living in a Digital Age,' undertaken in the Worth Valley in 2011 and carried out by Keighley & Ilkley Voluntary Action & Community Action and Shipley & Bingley Voluntary Services supported the fact that as people get older they become increasingly socially isolated and social isolation can be damaging to both physical and mental health.

The research also found that technology can prevent and alleviate social isolation by providing opportunities to communicate and stay in touch - ('Older People technology and community,' Independent Age, May 2010).

Conscious of this, the project aims to identify and support the over 50s to become more independent, reduce loneliness and help prevent social isolation.

Through one-to-one support and training at home, older people are taught how to use IT equipment; to access the internet, send emails and Skype.

"The project has worked with a number of older people all with their own reasons to want to learn IT skills who struggle to get out," explains Alison Eagle, KIVCA Development worker/Worth Connecting project lead.

"During the project we also found that there were older people who did not have the confidence to go to classes/groups who wanted to learn new or improve their computer skills but were happy to come to small social computer sessions," says Alison.

With Council funding they were able to set up short pilot sessions at Central Hall in Keighley. "Those who attended so far have gained skills, made new friends and improved their self-confidence both technologically and socially."

Midge Driver, Worth Connecting project worker, says the project has been working at full capacity since its launch and has a waiting list of people wanting to get involved.

However, with funding shortly due to run out, Positive Minds hope to find future funding to develop a similar project across Bradford & District working with partners of Positive Minds.

Midge explains as well as teaching participants IT skills, the project has opened doors to a whole new world. People feel less isolated and more connected.

Local and national research has found older people often visit their GP with minor issues which can be related to loneliness and isolation. Learning how to use a computer can build confidence as well as keeping them connected.

"Sometimes you cannot even realise you are lonely and this is one of the reasons why this came about," says Midge.

"It is about dispelling the myth that depression is part of the ageing process when it isn't. What needs to be challenged is the potential consequence of being isolated from people. IT is such an amazing tool for doing that," she says, referring to the service which is specifically tailored to the needs of the older generation.

Retired mill worker, Doreen Longden, has signed up to the social networking site, Facebook, since joining the project.

But she admits she was apprehensive before her first session. "I went in with my knees knocking - I didn't even know how to switch one on," she says.

"But I really enjoyed it. It made me that little bit confident that I could do some things and I am proud of myself."

Sylvia Burns, 85, retired from book-keeping around the time technology was being introduced.

"I stayed shy of it and then afterwards I gave it a second thought," she says.

"In the past I have written a few poems, I had manuscripts scattered about and I thought it would be nice to have something to record them. I got the chance to join the scheme and I was very lucky to have the opportunity."

Sylvia admits to having an initial fear of computers. "I think that is what a lot of people feel like. It is scary, the thought of it, and it seems to know so much," says Sylvia, referring to the wealth of information she suddenly had access to via the internet.

"But it is a connection with the outside world. It has opened up a whole new aspect to me."