About the Essex UnITe initiative
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.
The grant of £428,141 from the Big Lottery’s “Reaching Communities” programme allows 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
Formed from an embryonic initiative by Genesis, Essex Unite is now a unique partnership of organisations reaching out into the older community.
MillRace IT
MillRace IT, a subsidiary of InterAct, is a computer recycling and IT training social enterprise. People recovering from mental health problems or other disadvantages are supported through direct employment within the organisation or through participation in the accredited training as a progressive step to employment.
Genesis
Genesis Community is a new charitable foundation that was set up to tackle the challenges of deprivation and social exclusion in disadvantaged areas. Although it was only launched in 2005, it builds on a strong track record of community initiatives and regeneration set down.
Genesis Housing Group provides homes andservices to tens of thousands of people across London and the south east. The Group consists of PCHA, Pathmeads and Springboard housing associations. We also have in our group a charitable foundation, Genesis Community. We are one of the largest and most successful housing groups in the UK, owning and/or managing more than 40,000 homes. Our overriding aim is to put customers first and provideexcellent service to all. We have already developed a project similar to Essex UnITe in the East End of London and have trained more than 200 older people, from 60 to 97-years-old in IT.
Chelmer Housing Partnership
Based in Essex's county town of Chelmsford, CHP is a not-for-profit housing association. Established in March 2002, they have a growing portfolio of affordable homes in Essex and again are managing a number of the supported homes hosting this project. They work closely with residents and various statutory and charitable agencies to constantly improve the services they provide. These include tackling anti-social behaviour and improving quality of life, providing flexible care and support for the elderly, and an extensive programme of improvements and modernisations.
Age UK
Age Concern England (charity number 261794) has merged with Help the Aged (charity number 272786) to form Age UK, a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England.
Essex County Council
Essex County Council (ECC) lead the development of the original Essex UnITe programme and the 6 pilot projects undertaken in 2007-2008, submitting a successful match-funding bid to the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and bringing together the partners required to run the project. ECC then monitored the delivery of the programme, reported the outcomes to EEDA and developed the delivery model.
For 2008-2009 ECC invested £260,000 into Essex UnITe which saw the programme expanded significantly, with a further 23 individual schemes launched, along with community workshop and roadshow-style events. The programme has captured the imagination of a number of elected members including the cabinet member for Adults, Health and Community Wellbeing, as the outcomes of Essex UnITe are closely aligned to the directorates objectives.
Looking into 2009-2011 ECC is very keen to remain actively engaged as a member of the consortia, and will endeavour to support the programme wherever possible. This will include promoting UnITe to members and officers within ECC to maximise its scope and reach, and managing the bi-monthly meetings of the stakeholder group.
