The 'Learning Lounge'
 
We received £14,500 from Towpath Community Grants and UK Online to develop our 'Learning Lounge' ICT suite and deliver beginners ICT classes to first time computer users in Bolton. These included people from new and emerging communities, BME groups, long- term unemployed, adults with mental health issues and learning difficulties and OAPs. Around 40 new learners have completed our programmes from UK Online Basics to eDCC accredited courses.
 
NLDC (Bolton Community College) funded us to work in partnership with Bolton Multicultural Integration Group and Bolton Literacy Trust to deliver I.T. and ESOL training to BME groups within the YMCA centre. This also included community group work skills workshops.
We have also received funding from the Bolton Dyslexia Association and Bolton Youth Offending Team to develop learning provision for young offenders running the Touch Type Read and Spell programme to teach employable skills and address literacy problems.