Cyber cafe for the community

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.”