Silver Surfers Giving Shop PZ KR1214 (9)Ten Silver Surfers from Penzance have been awarded certificates for completing computer courses at the Giving Shop in Penzance.

At an awards ceremony held in the shop, Canon David Smith from Churches Together in Cornwall and Penzance branch manager for Santander Chris Martin presented the group with certificates to mark their completion of level one, level two or both.

The six week course, which is led by Jay Chapman, Digital Inclusion Officer at Superfast Cornwall and Jane Morgan from Cornwall Rural Community Charity, is about to welcome their 100th student in 18 months.

David said: “We were lucky in that the course received a grant from the Church Urban Fund which enabled us to buy equipment and then we received the donation from Santander. Our students are all local people. They are able to come to the Giving Shop and take part in the course. There is no pressure and it’s very social.”

Chris, who was there on behalf of Santander which had donated £3,500 to the group for equipment, said: “We are very keen to give back to the local community wherever we can. My mother is a ‘Silver Surfer’ and courses like this are important. It is superb.”

During the ceremony, those awarded with certificates enjoyed refreshments and cake as well as chat.

Silver Surfers Giving Shop PZ KR1214 (2) David added: “The Giving Shop is an amazing place. People are able to drop in and have a tea or coffee for free, we ask for a donation and then we have lots of different courses and workshops running. We collect food for the foodbank and leading up to Christmas we have been collecting toys for Penzance Social Services Children’s Department over Christmas enabling them to give gifts to families in the area who have little. It’s a lovely atmosphere and there is always someone to talk to.”

The Giving Shop and cafe is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm and all are welcome.