World War II Remembered

Culture Online has commissioned a joint project with the BBC and Age Concern aimed at encouraging old people to take advantage of new technology, by providing access, encouragement and support in using computers and the internet. The project complements the ongoing work of Age Concern, and has, as its focus, the major BBC initiative commemorating the 60th anniversary of D-Day - The People's War.

Working with the recently established Museums, Libraries and Archives Councils in four Regions, the BBC and Age Concern are running a number of "internet taster sessions" with appropriate support materials which are introducing small groups to the internet and enable them to contribute their stories to the BBC People's War website ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/ ). In this way Culture Online is encouraging more people to participate in a significant national history project as well as promoting the take up of new technology amongst an older age group.

Age Concern is also running mobile internet taster sessions in residential homes and day centres giving frail or infirm people the support they require to experience the internet and submit their stories to the People's War website.

By working with local museums and libraries, the project is recruiting Volunteer History Guides who will support groups of local people in compiling and submitting their memories online. It is intended that these relationships and the network of Volunteer History Guides should serve as a model for future working and form the basis for future, self-sustaining projects.