Becoming social...

I've always considered myself a fairly social person - but as I've got older and with limited mobility the opportunities to meet up with people and particularly meet new people have become fewer.

When I joined the Community Reporters programme I was keen to learn more about connecting with people through the power of the internet - I was also a little anxious about it, not being the most computer literate person!

I was very lucky to receive one to one support and training on how to use blogs, Facebook and Twitter. I found blogs quite straight forward, Facebook a little harder, and Twitter a bit of a mystery to be honest. I do understand what it can be used for an how it works, but I decided it's not for me. So now I focus on blogging and Facebooking and have built up a whole network of friends that I connect with each day.

I love seeing what my friends are up to and sharing photos and thoughts! It's also nice to tap into Community networks online - did you know Positively Parnwell has a Facebook page? It's a great way to keep up to date with what's going on locally.

I've really enjoyed becoming a Community Reporter and sharing my thoughts on my community and my life online. Facebook has been a revelation and I don't feel so isolated that I can't get out and about - I can still keep in touch with everyone I want to and make new friends.

Val Fidler, age 72, Parnwell Community Reporter.