Press release from BT regarding G2G Communities CIC

The Office for National Statistics announced that unemployment figures in the UK are at their highest in 17 years. This is evident in Rhyl in Wales, which was named the ‘unemployment capital of Wales’ by the Daily Post in 2011 . The issue of mass unemployment in Rhyl is being directly addressed by community organisation, G2G Communities. G2G is attempting to tackle unemployment by offering tailored ICT training to help get individuals back into jobs or even to start their own businesses.

Moira-Ann Lockitt at G2G, who appreciates employer expectations of prospective employees, said: “Nearly all employers require employees to have computer skills so ICT is high on our agenda for helping people back into employment.” This identification of the importance of computer and internet skills to job seekers led G2G to create an IT and computer training course which helps people obtain the necessary skills to help them find employment.

G2G runs IT classes and teaches everything from CV writing and basic internet skills to more advanced web-hosting and social media networking. One new, unemployed learner commented: “I first came to a training session as I knew nothing about computer skills but knew they would help me get back into employment. I have already learnt so many new skills, which I am sure have enhanced my job prospects.” A trainee getting help with a new business start-up said: “I feel much more confident on the computer after 5 lessons at G2G. I am starting my own one-to-one dog training business and feel the skills that I am learning will help me immensely especially with setting up finance systems.”

G2G received a BT Community Connections award of one years’ free broadband which allows it to continue its work. The local community in Rhyl has subsequently benefited as G2G has helped to get many local residents, addressing their skills shortages which may be preventing them from finding work.

Throughout 2011, seventy six new users were introduced to the internet for the first time, 117 people attended four or more training sessions, 56 people now use the internet regularly and 20 have installed internet at their own homes.

In return for monthly feedback and reports updating BT of its progress over the year, G2G has been chosen as the overall BT community Connections Plus winner and has received £2,000 to continue its fantastic ICT work.

The money will be used to purchase more laptops so that it can go out into the rural areas to engage with more learners and carry on addressing unemployment in Wales.

Rise of the silver surfer!

South West Rhyl Communities First in partnership with a number of locally run open access ICT venues in the South West of Rhyl spent a week bringing older and younger people from the area to discover the benefits of getting online and as well as working together across the generation divide.
5 young people from the area taught 7 older people who reside in the area to surf the internet, create email accounts, join facebook and discover hobbies online during the spring half term.
With funding secure via South West Rhyl Communities First from The Community Foundation in Wales Development Officer Debbie Holmes working with Marsh Community Association, Rhyl Adventure Playground Association and South West Rhyl Central residents Association facilitated the project, which was to help both generations learn that there are opportunities to learn from each other as well as benefit from each others skills and experiences.
Val Pratt who took part as a learner and said:-
“ I have discovered a new way of keeping in touch with my family and enjoyed not only the online networking but also the social networking between my peers and with the younger people.” Since the sessions I have been to one of the open access suites in Rhyl and will be buying a laptop in the near future.”
Alex Collins and Michael Mays two of the younger people who were part of the project said:- “ The project led us to change our perceptions of older people and realise that they actually pick up things faster than we originally thought and the whole experience made us realise that all ages are capable of learning new skills”
Press the play button on the blogger title bar below to see a video from the project