FOR those who haven't grown up with technology it can leave them feeling phased.

Older people in particular often struggle to get to grips with the latest gadgets and while some welcome progression and are willing to embrace the digital age, others are in danger of getting left behind.

Aware of Menston's ageing population, resident Roger Livesey, who is also in his seventies, decided there was a niche to fulfill.

While there are plenty of activities for the village's increasingly high elderly population, Roger felt those whose families have moved away may become isolated.

According to latest figures from the charity Age UK, in April 2014 more than one million older people say they are always, or often feel lonely.

Forty one per cent of people aged 65 and over in the UK feel out of touch with the pace of modern life and 12 per cent say they feel cut off from society.

Roger's idea was to help older people to get to grips with technology and also put those in touch with their nearest and dearest who may live abroad or further away.

"I thought if they could get on Skype and talk to their friends in Australia, or wherever they are, they should be able to with an iPad because elderly people don't want computers with wires and everything. I thought with an iPad or any tablet this may be a solution," he explains.

Conscious of the fact that many classes were teaching about computers, Roger came up with the idea of running informal sessions which would be taught by young people who, generally, know everything there is to know about technology.

With help from the local Scout Group, Roger recruited some 'teachers' - Explorers ranging from 13 to 16 who give their time voluntarily.

Supported by the Vicar, the Rev Ruth Yeoman, Vicar of St John's Church, Menston, and Jane Pratt from Menston Cares, an organisation supporting the elderly, Roger was able to recruit some 'students' ranging from 60 to 90!

Christened 'eggs2iPads' which Roger explains is coined from the phrase 'don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs,' the project, which is run under the auspice of the Menston Community Association (MCA), launched a year ago. Sessions are held from 5 until 6pm on Thursdays at Menstone Club in Farnley Road, Menston which is supporting the initiative, along with Lloyds Bank who funded the first iPad.

Subsequent funding has been provided by the Olicana Lodge in Ilkley and Fix It Computers in Menston provided a tablet, enabling the group to expand their equipment.

"It's not a computer class," says Roger. "They come in and sit with one of the youngsters, they say what they want to do and the kids tell them how to do it. There are no formal lessons."

Roger says the sessions have proved useful for those wanting to know how to use the internet for research or even play games!

As well as helping older people get to grips with technology, the project is also proving how the old and young can learn from each other.

Hattie Barnes took up the opportunity to become a 'teacher' with the 'eggs2iPads' scheme as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award.

"I've been a volunteer or teacher for over a year now and I really enjoy it. I think that it's really important for the elderly to be in touch with technology because the world we live in now evolves around digital devices and using the iPads can be a great way for the older generation to keep in touch with family through the use of skype, email, Facebook etc," says Hattie.

Pals Dorothy James and Jean Hughes were among the first to join the sessions when they began.

Dorothy, 83, was keen to learn how to Facetime her family in Australia, while 80-year-old Jean simply wanted to learn how to access family photographs. They also love playing games and would encourage others to explore the benefits from the sessions.

Roger says while there are many groups and activities catering for the elderly in Menston, he says the eggs2iPads initiative is 'unique.' "This, I think, is unique in bringing together the two totally different generations and what I had not realised when I set it up is for the older people one of the things they really like is the weekly meeting with the youngsters which is great."

Such is the success of the scheme, Roger wants to see other communities taking on the initiative.

He also hopes to encourage more 'students' and 'teachers' to get involved in the project.

"What I would like to see is other villages taking up the idea and setting up their own," says Roger.

For more information email menston.village.wharfedale@gmail.com