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Stonehouse
Neighbourhood Project
Keeping
IT local
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The
Challenge
-
To
provide accessible information communications technology (ICT)
learning opportunities within a local community.
Developing
the idea
- Following
a vision to establish a local Learning Centre in the High Street
of a small market town, Stonehouse Neighbourhood Project's management
committee initiated a feasibility study. This involved identifying
key community partners who were prepared to help, advise and finance
a very challenging and ambitious project.
- A
former video store was identified as suitable premises. Funding
for equipment and alterations were provided via the Skills Challenge
Fund, with Stroud College committing to providing staff and services
for an initial six-month period.
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| Stonehouse
Neighbourhood Project offers computer skills training |
Making
it happen
- The Skills Challenge Fund financed 11 personal computers; technical
and educational support was jointly obtained via Gloucestershire
Neighbourhood Projects Network and Stroud College provided the
appropriate connections, course materials and two part-time administrative
staff.
- The local Neighbourhood College opened in April 1999.
- After six months, with 74 students in total, the project employed
its own training facilitator for 28 hours per week.
This
service is now available to a wide range of mixed ability students,
many from the 'hard to reach' groups. Many require, and receive,
one to one support.
Keeping
it going
- As projects such as these cannot be self-sustaining, it is important
to consider income generation opportunities such as course fees.
The project therefore focused on income-generating courses, while
also applying for other funds.
- The Learning Centre is open five days, four evenings and Saturday
morning each week and looking for larger premises. Sufficient
joint funding has been obtained from other sources to pay for
salaries, equipment and technical support. Two former volunteers
are also employed.
Key
tips
- Identify specific student need and strive to offer appropriate
support
- Provide a stimulating environment for students
- Identify a supportive management committee
- Adequate staffing is essential - utilise, train and support
volunteers
- Form strong community partnerships
- Sustainable funding is so important ie. income generation
- Maintain in-date records and other administration systems
- Remember, very often, help and advice can be more valuable than
a financial contribution
Contact:
Stonehouse Neighbourhood Project College, via Gloucestershire
Neighbourhood Projects Network.
Who
can help?
Key
organisations that helped this project and could support in the
development of your ideas. Their details can be found in the Contacts
Directory. Further information on funding sources is available
from Gloucestershire County Council's Economic Development Unit
on 01452 425702.
Funding
sources
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Other useful contacts
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- Ashchurch
Parish Council
- Charitable
Trusts
- Colleges
- Gloucestershire
County Council o Adult Continuing Education & Training service
- Gloucestershire
Neighbourhood Projects Network
- National
Lottery Funding Bodies
- Single
Regeneration Budget
- South
West Regional Development Agency
- Stroud
District Council
- Tewkesbury
Town Council
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- Adult
Education Consortia see Gloucestershire County Council -
ACET
- Business
Link Gloucestershire
- Co-operative
Futures
- District
councils
- Gloucestershire
County Council
- Arts
Development (see Libraries Arts and Museums)
- Gloucestershire
Information Advice and Guidance
- Neighbourhood
College Network - see Gloucestershire Neighbourhood Projects
Network
- Learning
and Skills Council
-
South West Arts
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