News
Skype helping people keep in touch
7th June, 2011
The Lowe Street Aged Care facility at East Grampians Health Service has just received a new computer proudly donated by the Ararat Rotary Club. This computer will help enable the residents of Lowe Street to contact their loved ones at any time by using the interactive technology of web-based "SKYPE."
Skype is a relatively new technology that allows users to not only be able to speak to others on the Internet, but to actually see them as well.
On Sunday 8th May, Mr. Geoff Cox used Skype for the first time and was able to speak to his family in Queensland. His wife had made the trip to see their son, but Mr. Cox was unable to make the journey due to his illness. However, by using Skype, they were all able to see each other on Mother's Day. Mr. Cox said "I loved it; it was really good to actually see my family all on the screen as well as hearing them too."
Mr. Maurie Allgood from Ararat Rotary commented that "Rotary just wanted to enhance the quality of life for the residents at Lowe Street. We wanted residents to be able to contact their families and loved ones whenever they wanted too. Now, by using Skype and having access to this computer, I think we have achieved what we set out to do, help improve the quality of life for the residents of Lowe St by keeping in touch with their families".
Mrs. Jo Simmonds, Lowe Street Manager at East Grampians Health Service said, "It's been a dream come true; the residents now have the ability to keep in touch with their families and loved ones in a whole new way rather than just by letters or phone, which we are very thrilled about. On behalf of East Grampians Health Service I would like to thank Ararat Rotary for this generous donation and for the support they have given to the residents of Lowe Street, and what a great initiative this has been".
