MillRace IT / Essex UnITe, BBC Essex 19 May 2010 ALW awards
Older people in Essex will continue to benefit from IT training thanks to a grant awarded by the Big Lottery Fund. The Essex UnITe project introduces computers and the Internet to older people across Essex through community workshops and delivers training to people in supported and sheltered accommodation.
News of the grant award will be celebrated at a “Silver Surfers Day” event at Yeomans Lodge – Chelmer Village together with residents, tutors, mentors and representatives from the organisations involved.
The grant of £428,141 from the Big Lottery’s “Reaching Communities” programme will allow project partners MillRace IT, Age Concern & Help the Aged, Essex County Council, Genesis Housing and Chelmer Housing Partnership to build on the existing successful project which was funded by Essex County Council putting the County at the forefront in tackling community digital inclusion.
Barry Knight, Chairman of the charity InterAct Group, said, “I am delighted that InterAct’s social enterprise, MillRace IT will be one of the project partners working with Age UK to enhance the health and well-being of older people in Essex and to help reduce the sense of isolation that many of them feel.”
The lottery grant will fund:
- Community workshops and roadshows across the County for over 8000 older people
- IT skills training and broadband access at 35 sheltered/supported housing schemes
- Development of community and social networking websites and virtual village halls for older people
