Sorry to be so dense!
My brick phone, which as no touch screen, can send and receive texts and make and receive calls (naturally, or it wouldn't be a phone!) but I can't install apps on it so I may be getting there - slowly.
If I beg, borrow or steal a phone which can download the WhatsApp app, I infer that I could put my SIM in it, download the app, set up on the iMac and iPad, and then switch the SIM back into my beloved and prehistoric phone.
If I understand that correctly, I can get going when i can get the relevant phone to do the deed.
Thanks for your help and advice, it is very much appreciated.