Online to give easy access to internet

A PIONEERING scheme which offers free internet access to people in Oldham has been given the official seal of approval.

Local employment charity, Highways to Opportunities (H20), runs one of many UK online centres across the country which offer free access to the internet and to some courses, and staff from UK online dropped in to take a look at the scheme in action.

Helen Milner, the managing director of UK online, and Julie Mitchell, UK Online’s North-West manager, visited H20 to take a look at a local scheme in action and learn more about Oldham programmes like the Home Access pilot, which looks at providing young people and parents with laptops.

H20 director Jayne Entwistle said: “UK Online is all about making computers and internet access more accessible and we have a number of projects coming up where we’ll be aiming to take UK Online out to Oldham’s communities, and make IT more accessible for everyone.

“At H2O we have specially adapted double decker buses which tour Oldham’s communities and have full IT equipment on them, which was something our visitors were really impressed with.”

Helen and Julie also had a chat with clients Michael Cuthbert and Barbara Hanratty, who have both enrolled on the My Guide courses offered by UK Online.

The My Guide Courses are available for anyone starting out with using computers and cover specific areas relating to a person’s particular interest, including how to save money using the internet and keeping children safe online.

Barbara said: “The courses have been really beneficial to me, and the staff have been really supportive and helpful.”

Anyone who would like to find out more about H20 can phone:0161 621 9200.

Julie Mitchell, North- West regional manager of UK Online, Helen Milner, managing director of UK Online, Louise Day, H20 and Jayne Entwistle, director of H20