Parishioners of the monthly Wollongong Diocese 'Lunch Club' are learning to use their mobile phones and computers, after years of keeping them in a draw or in a box under the table. The "Never too old" project is an initiative of CatholicCare Wollongong, the Wollongong Cathedral Parish and an independent High School, St Mary's Star of the Sea College.

Jean Turnbull, an 85-year-old grandmother knows about new mobile phone technology, but didn't know how to use its basic functions. "I've had a mobile phone since 1995 and I still don't know how to use it very well. I just want to know how to retrieve a message and stay in contact with my family and friends" said Jean. Now she can thanks to young women volunteering to teach Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills to Lunch Club members; who in their 70's and 80's have become the "students".

The initiative was championed by Phillip Smith, who highlighted the need for opportunities and connections to be built between school and local communities. "As a previous president of St Marys' P&F, I was aware that some students were especially interested in meeting older people, something not all of them had an opportunity to do. Then coming to CatholicCare presented the potential for that connection via our programs" said Mr. Smith.

A survey of Lunch Club members regarding ICT interests and needs found learning how to use their electronic devices would help seniors increase their social inclusion. Key to getting the program off the ground was a strong commitment from the school, and appropriate resourcing through Cynzia Dei-Cont and Carmen Karauda.

The year 11 students, volunteering as part of their school's Social Justice Program, are teaching skills that the seniors have determined as useful. St Mary's student Laura Sheehy said she hoped to learn as much as she would teach. "For me it's not just about what I'm teaching them, but what they can teach us in terms of life experience" she said.

Executive Manager Aged & Disability Services John Paul Troiani is encouraged by how much the students want to help the parishioners. "I am inspired by these young women who are prepared to show seniors how to communicate in a changing world. Isolation is a big factor facing the aged population and not knowing how to use technology can exacerbate this".