A MULTI-million pound project to get people across Hampshire with sight or hearing loss online has begun.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has set up the Online Today project with volunteers to get people who suffer from sensory loss using the internet.

With funding of £5.8million from the Big Lottery Fund, it is hoped that 15,000 people with sight or hearing loss will benefit from the training programme.

Through a series of workshops, surgeries, one-to-one sessions and even home visits, Online Today will deliver training and advice on how to browse the internet and use smartphones, tablets and computers.

Southampton resident Brian Anderson, who was born with congenital cataracts and whose sight declined dramatically in 2011, already uses a lot of technology.

He said: “All the Apple products work together which is great. The same zoom programme is already built in on all of these devices.

“Older people are a lot less computer savvy and can sometimes be more reluctant to learn. But you’re never too old to learn. I’d recommend Online Today to anyone.”

Internet use in the UK has significantly increased over recent years with 76 per cent of adults accessing the internet every day in 2014, compared to just 38 per cent in 2006.

But getting online and using technology presents many challenges for someone who is blind, partially sighted or has hearing loss.

Neil Heslop, managing director of RNIB Solutions, said: “Technology has changed the way we live our lives, from how we communicate and socialise to the way we look for jobs and pay our bills.

“Being able to get online can make a huge difference to being able to live independently.

“Online Today will deliver the skills, training and confidence that will make a huge difference to so many people’s lives and will make sure they’re not being excluded from today’s digital world.”

l To find out more or to volunteer, ring the RNIB on 0303 123 9999 or email onlinetoday@rnib.org.uk.