New laptops just the job for Felixstowe residents

Published by rtownsend for Sanctuary Housing Association in Communities and also in Education, Housing

Young people from a supported housing scheme in Felixstowe are gaining an online advantage in their search for employment thanks to a partnership between Sanctuary Group and computer giant Microsoft.

The leading housing and care provider has teamed up with Microsoft to create IT learning opportunities and access to computer equipment at a number of Sanctuary schemes across the country, including Langley Close in Felixstowe.

Under the partnership, young people will be given access to laptops and training aimed at helping them secure work in today’s IT-driven world.

Residents at Langley Close, a Sanctuary Supported Living scheme in Felixstowe for young people who have experienced homelessness, have been donated four laptops under the agreement and will receive support on how to build their CVs and apply for jobs from a dedicated trainer from Suffolk ACRE.

Access to the laptops will also offer other advantages to the young people, such as being able to discover training and education opportunities and filling out online forms for documentation such as provisional driving licenses, helping those residents preparing to move on to new accommodation.

Joyce Long, local service manager for the scheme, said: “Our residents are really looking forward to having computer access in the log cabin, which is their own communal space. Before they had to try and use laptops belonging to other people, or use the limited access at college or libraries.

“We think that the computer equipment and IT opportunities on offer will promote independence in all aspects of the residents’ lives and improve their chances of securing work.”