Dear readers,

On behalf of LPG, I would like to remind everyone out there in our corner of internet land about one of the many aspects of commemoration that today is designed to bring to the fore.  From information I have found on the internet after a very brief search, I have worked out that today marks the 25^th or perhaps the 28^th anniversary of International Virtual Assistants day; a day to celebrate all those secretaries and administrative assistants that do their jobs from the other end of a computer rather than in an office adjoining their bosses’.

This was originally a day to celebrate all the secretaries, personal assistants, typists and administrators who support business bosses throughout the world, but with a bit of a twist.  A few years before the turn of the century, once the idea of being able to send writings and documents to people without having to physically deliver them on paper to your door became possible, the idea of getting someone to type your letters, take your messages, sort your appointments and keep your professional diary up to date from a distance also became possible.  So if you had a company but only needed someone to do those things for you for a few hours a week, you could get them to do the work without having to pay for an extra office. 

Then came the electronic virtual assistant which started life on smart phones and allowed their users to ask and get instant answers to generic questions and be reminded of appointments amongst other things, without an actual person involved.  

We all know what happened after that.  The word Alexa has become one that nearly everyone knows, and even more so since we have all been locked down.  Although it is more likely that it helps us older people, who have one, to answer the phone without picking it up, turn on the lights or the television, answer your questions about the weather, remind you of when you need to do things like take your pills or give a bit of warning about when your favourite telly program is going to start.   It makes you wonder if the electronic ones will be designated their own national day in the not too distant future.

Since being locked down over the past year, we have all learned a little more about doing things from a distance with our video calls, online shopping and dependence on the phone which is all that is needed when it comes to being a distant volunteer, and LPG could do with a few more. 

We at LPG, are always trying, and sometimes succeeding, to convert some of our readers into occasional virtual writers who share some of their stories, experiences and concerns on our pages.  It might all sound a little complicated, but our volunteers can help us without even leaving their homes or the comfort of their armchairs.  We are happy to get a story related over a telephone call so that we can do the typing just like a virtual assistant, and if you know any pensioners with IT skills and even an hour or so to offer from their end of their computer or tablet, we would appreciate a little administrative help.

So I am taking the opportunity to use the sentiments of the day to appeal for a few virtual volunteers.  If you have a story to tell, can use a phone or do a few things with a computer we could use your help, and if you are a recently retired secretary or typist with the odd hour to spare we hope you will celebrate the day by giving us a call.  Let me save you a trip to our contact page.  Our telephone number is 0208 690 5324. 

Maureen B

(For LPG)

Maureen B shares some information…

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