Gransnet goes Local - Telegraph Gransnet, the social networking site for grandparents, which I edit, launched in May 2011 and is now the largest social networking site for older people in the country. New members have been joining every day for the past two years, to talk about everything from politics to childhood memories, books to relationships, snorkelling to, OK, yes, knitting. Now, thanks to the social investment fund the Nominet Trust, which has backed the development of Gransnet local, we've been able to recruit local editors (20 so far, with more to roll out over the coming months,) who not only make sure their sites are packed with information about activities and events in their areas, but can also organise local meetups. The heart of a social networking site is its community - is people talking to each other. We set out two years ago hoping to provide a platform for a group of people who felt somewhat disenfranchised. It's odd that older people feel this, given that by 2020 half of the UK population will be over 50 and that the over-50s vote in large numbers and have disposable income. Even so, older people - especially older women - often feel they're invisible. Sure enough, Gransnet members have been able to ask cabinet ministers questions in live webchats; they have debated anything and everything that bothers and interests them. Sheer force of numbers - combined, it has to be said, with a lot of intelligent discussion - makes us noticeable. Again, it seemed logical to extend this to people who were interested in local issues. Older people are often deeply rooted in and committed to their communities; to take just one indicator, they volunteer in larger numbers than any other group. What about all the older people who aren't on the internet? I am always asked. In fact, the over-65s are the fastest-growing group online and spend more time on the internet than other groups - but it's also true that a high proportion of people who are digitally excluded are older. The approach to them has often been more stick than carrot: the internet is good for you, you'll be out of touch/worse off/unable to pay your bills without it. But that's not what persuades young people go online: they do it for music and videos and talking to each other. We like to think of Gransnet as a carrot - designed by older people for older people (not by twentysomethings, much as we love twentysomethings). If the site helps some feel less alone with their problems or form friendships that make them feel less isolated, that's almost a by-product. The main thing is that it's funny, spirited, contentious, interesting and enjoyable. There's a way to go yet with the local sites: more editors to recruit, listings to upload, organisations to publicise themselves, businesses to start advertising. (The local editors will keep any advertising revenue they generate. What we'd like to end up with is a series of social enterprises across the country run by grans for grans.) It's ambitious, but we know that social networking serves a real need for older people. And the numbers are on our side. Make way for an army of iPad-wielding grans. local.gransnet.com If you're interested in becoming a local editor, email local@gransnet.com