It's Tuesday morning at Jewish Care's connect@southgate day service where people in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s are trying out games such as virtual tennis on a Nintendo Wii console. The scheme is held in the Schindler Hall at Southgate Progressive Synagogue; similar schemes are held on other days at synagogues in Kenton, Hendon and St John's Wood.
Recreational organiser Susie Petar is giving a demonstration but Fay Green, 91, is an old hand at virtual bowling. "I play this with my grandson at my daughter's house, it's something interesting to do," she declares. The pair discuss techniques: "You've got to gauge it," says Mrs Green, who still has one skittle to knock down. She is concentrating on getting strikes and is clearly enjoying herself.
Members are sitting round in a semi-circle curious to see more. "Who wants to try virtual tennis?" asks Susie Petar and Phyllis Benjamin, 86, offers to have a go. Holding the console and studying the screen, she says: "I'm beginning to get the hang of it [serving], but I'm not very good."
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