Teesdale YMCA has already successfully run its Community Information Access and Support programme in Evenwood and Cockfield for more than a year. It is now looking to extend to other villages where there is a need.
Help is given in accessing information about government and council services, setting up CVs, job applications, housing issues, benefits and any other problems people might have.
The youth and community development manager for the YMCA, Hannah Parratt, said the programme has already been taken to lunch clubs where it has been well received and now sessions will be hosted at Staindrop’s Scarth Hall and the village halls at Woodland and Butterknowle.
The project, which is funded by Teesdale Action Partnership, has had considerable success in Evenwood where, community and youth worker Becca Pearson says most of the queries are about help in creating CVs. Volunteer Pete Whittaker added that older people, particularly at lunch clubs, were keen to get help with the internet.
He said: “Older people have heard horror stories, so it is more about the nitty-gritty aspects of the internet.”
However, this is not the case in Cockfield where the programme has already had great success and the service is now being withdrawn allowing the YMCA to extend it to other parts of the dale.
Mr Whittaker added: “Basically, they have computers at the internet cafe, so people are comfortable using them and there isn’t much of a need.”
Ms Parratt said the aim now was to make the service available as widely as possible and groups such as young parents, mother and toddlers and others can contact the YMCA to arrange a session.
People interested can email Ms Parratt at hannah@tees
daleymca.com or phone the YMCA on 01833 695780.
People can also keep an eye on Teesdale Mercury’s What’s On column to see where the group are each week.
Funding for the programme will ensure the service is available until at least June next year.
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