WARRINGTON’s Golden Gates Housing Trust has been awarded £40,000 towards the cost of providing free Wi-Fi for tenants in one of the most deprived parts of the borough.
The Longford On-Line project is an initiative which aims to tackle digital exclusion among residents.
The funding, awarded as part of the Government’s Digital Deal, will be match funded by the Trust and will see GGHT install and manage a Wi-Fi network in Longford, providing free wireless broadband to its tenants and low cost access to other local residents.
The project will also provide tenants who do not have their own computer, laptop or smartphones with a Digital Den Android mini-PC free of charge. This new product will turn their existing TV sets into an Internet access device.
GGHT is the largest provider of social housing in Warrington and is currently leading a major regeneration project in Longford, an area ranked within the 4 per cent most deprived in the UK.
The Trust recognises the increasing importance of web access and skills for its tenants. It’s Digital for All strategy sets out the role that the Trust will play in supporting its tenants to access on-line services, making savings on their household bills and linking into greater employment, education and training opportunities.
Delivered in partnership with local voluntary organisations, colleges and businesses, the project will introduce hundreds of residents to the Internet for the first time and encourage others to make greater use of this in their daily lives through the roll out of popular Internet activities and sites that are relevant to them.
This will include providing support in accessing the Trust’s on-line rewards scheme, energy advice and links to street based competitions.
GGHT director of housing management Peter Fitzhenry, commented: “We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the 12 organisations across the country to secure Digital Deal Challenge Funding. We believe this is an exciting opportunity that will benefit a significant number of digitally excluded customers living in one of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK.
“The ‘Longford On-line’ project offers an innovative solution to bringing down digital barriers and will enable hundreds of our customers to experience the wonders of the Internet in their own home, without having to purchase a computer or pay for broadband access.
The successful roll out of the project will help these customers and their families to unlock employment, training and education opportunities and tackle social and financial exclusion. It will also help to support the Trust in delivering its commitment to Digital for All.”
Picture: A GGHT tenant learning how to get on-line.
