IT for parents

I was interested to read the article in the August edition of 0-19 about using Sure Start schemes to improve parents’ IT skills.

I work as a community development worker for Old Town Sure Start in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. Part of my role is organising a variety of courses for parents. We started our first computer class for parents almost three years ago and now have five running weekly, catering for complete beginners to improvers.

These courses have proved  popular because many of our parents want to keep up with what their children are learning in school and also see the skills they can gain as a pathway to employment.

In January we started offering literacy and numeracy classes with the opportunity to work towards a national qualification. There was initial scepticism about these courses but they are now very well subscribed. We find that parents who have achieved one qualification are keen to try something else.

DENISE LAWTON
SURE START COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORKER
SCUNTHORPE