Axiom sheltered residents prepare to go surfing!

Published by Jon Land for Axiom Housing Association in Housing and also in Communities, Education

Residents from Axiom's Kestrel Court sheltered scheme in South Bretton, Peterborough are thrilled to be awarded £5,000 to purchase new computers thanks to Grassroots Grants.

The residents group were awarded £5,000 under the Grassroots Grants scheme for computers and office furniture for their sheltered housing scheme at Kestrel Court in South Bretton, Peterborough and can't wait to start surfing the net!

Grassroots Grants is a £130m Government funded scheme run by Community Development Foundation which aims to provide much needed access to small grants for local community groups and organisations in England.

The Community Development Foundation is administering the programme nationally and aims to ensure that money gets allocated to where it is needed in each community.

The idea of new PC's was originally started when Brian Wilson a resident and Vice Chairman of the Kestrel Court Residents Group (pictured) contacted Karen Prince, Axiom's Learning Centre Manager, to enquire about IT courses for himself and other residents.

Through the help of the Learning Centres and tenant involvement, four residents were signed up for a UK online computer course, which they all thoroughly enjoyed.

They were so keen to keep up with their new found skills, they decided to see if they could find funding for their own scheme computers. Brian got back in touch Karen Prince and together they worked with Peterborough Council Voluntary Service on a funding application to Grassroots Grants. Their application was successful.

Brian Wilson said:

"We are all old age pensioners; we don't have the sort of money to purchase computers. When we were told that we had been awarded £5,000 to purchase new computers for the scheme, we were all thrilled to bits".

Karen Prince said;

"I am really pleased for Mr Wilson and the other residents. It has taken some time for them to get to this stage, but their determination and perseverance has paid off".

"I wish them all the best and I am looking forward to getting my first email from the 'silver surfers' very soon".

If you would to learn more about Axiom's Learning Centres, please contact Karen Prince on 01733 347135.