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The Swan Street surfers
Surfing the net is making waves among the city's hard-to-reach families. Katy Wheeler went along to a Sunderland centre where computers are being used to boost educational and leisure opportunities.
DUBBED the "Swan Street Six", a band of women are taking part in a scheme to prove that technology transforms lives.
Members of the Swan Street Centre in Monkwearmouth, the half dozen have each been given a laptop to take home and try as part of the Government's Digital Challenge.
Valerie Dunn is one of the women to reap benefits from the scheme – so much so that it's setting up new lines of communication between the Southwick mum and her sister who lives in Australia.
The 56-year-old explained: "It's really opened my eyes as to what computers can do. I had some knowledge of computers before, but not very much.
"Now I've been able to talk to my sister Sheila through email and we are talking about getting a web cam so we can have a face-to-face conversation."
The mum-of-three added: "I've also been able to write a letter on the computer and book a flight to London, things I had never thought of doing on the computer before."
Sunderland was chosen to lead the 3.5million Digital Challenge for its pioneering use of IT to engage with the community and promote social and digital inclusion.
Where the Swan Street Six are leading, other groups are expected to follow, opening up the world of computers to more and more people across the city.
Another member of the trailblazing group is young mum Katie Taylor.
Thanks to the scheme, the 23-year-old has been able to complete her NVQ Level Two in childcare much sooner than expected.
Katie, who is mum to Bethany, three, said: "Before, I had to write everything by hand and if anything needed changing I had to re-write it, but now I can just edit it on screen.
"I've only had the laptop a couple of months and already I've been able to complete my Level Two and I'm working towards my Level Three."
Southwick councillor Norma Wright said: "The whole point of the Digital Challenge is to use technology to transform lives by removing social barriers, promoting active social participation, and raising aspirations and skills.
"We wanted to find a diverse range of people because what we learn in Swan Street can be used to help other people in similar situations in other communities across the city. With the support of Wearmouth Community Development Trust based in the Swan Street Centre, and the Digital Challenge Engagement Team we have supplied not only the laptop, printer and mobile internet access, but also the technical advice and help they will need to get started. They also have regular visits to make sure they are getting the most out of this new technology."
This week Baroness Kay Andrews, communities and local government minister, visited the Swan Street Centre to learn more about its good work.
Baroness Andrews said: "I think it's fantastic. Sunderland is really leading the way. It's great to see that in a community which hasn't had a lot of success in recent years.
"The great thing about it is that it is reaching people across the generations who may never have used a computer before, but now they can email, book doctors appointments online, do their shopping, all these things are the way forward for the future."
Britain's digital capital city
SUNDERLAND is leading the rest of the country in embracing digital technology and is the best connected city in the UK.
A national Ofcom study shows 66 per cent of households in Sunderland have broadband connection compared to a national average of 57 per cent, while 96 per cent of households have digital television compared to a national average of 85 per cent.
Coun Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "We are proud to see the results of the many initiatives of recent years being reflected in the increased take-up of digital technologies in Sunderland which can only benefit our people and our communities.
"Sunderland is keen to promote the smart assets of the city as a positive attraction to encourage investment."
In 2005, Sunderland was named as one of the world's most intelligent cities.
The accolade was given by the Intelligent Community Forum at an awards ceremony in New York.
It officially recognised the city's transformation following the demise of the traditional shipbuilding and mining industries.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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