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Hull's Cyber Caf‚ run by the Longhill Link-up Trust, is a good example of a community based ICT project in a deprived district that has helped young people to go on and gain qualifications and employment.

The caf‚ is open access and enables local youngsters to try web browsing, set up email accounts, use chat rooms (under supervision), experiment with digital art and music making, and play games. Many also use the caf‚ for job applications.

A homework club offers an alternative place to work for pupils at risk of dropping out of school. "We take groups of young people from schools, which advise us on what kind of curriculum material is appropriate," explains project manager Peter Grieve.

"We aim to develop that to offer structured learning and educational development to young people who are excluded through agreements with schools."

One success story was 15-year-old Tom, who had dropped out of school with no qualifications and been in trouble with the police.

He and his friends volunteered to build the computer benches, and laid carpets and fixed handrails at the cafe.

He spent over 200 hours on the computers, learning job application skills - and becoming Colin McRae Rally 2 champion!


With a reference from the Cyber Caf‚ he found an apprenticeship as a joiner, then a job as a caretaker of a military museum.

"We do have young people who come in and gain a great deal and move on,' says Grieve. "Our aim is to help them grow, become an individual and achieve what they need to achieve."