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28/01/04
New IT suite sparks opportunity Hot off the Lord of the Rings publicity trail, actor Andy Serkis, a.k.a. Gollum and his wife, actress Lorraine Ashbourne (Playing the Field and Clocking Off) have joined children and families at the new Barnardo's Spark Centre in Bethnal Green, to celebrate today's opening of a new IT suite made possible thanks to money raised by ICT trade association, Intellect and the Worshipful Trust of Information Technologists (WTIT). Barnardo's Spark Centre works with profoundly disabled and non-disabled children from birth to 19 years, as well as supporting their families and siblings by providing a sitting service, day and holiday support; and after school, early evening and weekend activities. Many of the young people the Spark Centre works with have limited verbal communication skills, so the specialist equipment provided by the IT suite will provide new and exciting opportunities for the children and young people. Young people like Natalie Tennan aged 14, from Whitechapel, who attends the Sibling Support Group at the Spark Centre and has limited opportunities to access such IT equipment. Natalie, whose brother Paul (18) has autism and also uses the centre, plans to use the new equipment at Spark to design a poster to attract other young people to the group. She's also keen to get online to find out more about her favourite bands and footy team! Thanks to the £27,000 raised by Intellect and the WTIT, software such as Makaton, Rebus and PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), all found to greatly improve a disabled child's ability to communicate ideas and thoughts, are part of the new suite. The equipment includes large keyboards, Boardmaker, a large touch screen, a digital video camera, a large Smart Board (to allow computer images to be projected for larger audiences), a range of switches, a replacement mouse system to enable use of PC's for people with restricted movement in their arms and a range of fun and educational software to try and make the IT experience for young people whose access to IT may have been very limited - as positive an experience as possible. Parents and siblings will also benefit from the facilities and will be able to learn basic IT skills in their group work sessions, as well as access information on the web, participate in discussion groups and have access to email which will enable links to be built between people in similar situations who are able to offer support, advice and friendship. Set out in an Internet Café format, the aim is to create a welcoming, informal environment which people will use during their sessions at Spark. Other planned activities that will focus around the suite will include, short film making, music making, game playing, newsletter and flyer creation, life skills work, sensory development and internet access. Louise Kershaw, leisure service co-ordinator at Spark Centre said: 'Firstly, a huge thank-you to Intellect and the Worshipful Trust of Information Technologists, whose fundraising efforts will change the lives of many children from Bethnal Green and surrounding areas. Having an IT suite will provide many opportunities, and that is what Spark is all about.' Kim Barclay, Spark Centre project worker added: 'It is fantastic to see our dream of an IT suite at Spark finally become a reality. It has been a lot of hard work, but it will be fantastic seeing it all finally in use.' Director General at Intellect, John Higgins commented: 'Technology should always be seen as an enabling tool. At the Spark Centre this tool is being put to the best possible use, enabling the children of Bethnal Green to learn that technology can not only help them to broaden their horizons, but also to make friends and have fun!' David Edwards, WCIT's Trust Director said: 'Intellect and the WCIT are delighted to have been able to raise this money for such a good cause. We have also been very impressed by the research undertaken by the staff at the Spark Centre, to ensure that they get the right equipment they need for their work with the children and young people using the centre". Editors Notes Equipment was selected by staff from Spark and Barnardo's IT department, following visits to other disabled IT suites, including those at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital children's ward school and the recently opened Richards House Hospice in Docklands. Learning from their experiences in setting an IT suite up ensured the most effective equipment, programmes and set-up was chosen.
Programmes installed in the suite include: K-1 A visually attractive programme which allows you to view pre design kaleidoscope patterns or create your own. K-1 can be viewed through a projector or on a standard screen, great for encouraging creativity and enhancing a relaxing atmosphere. Clicker 4 This programme works as a great support in enhancing reading and writing skills with the use of pictures that are relevant to both young people and adults. It also has an additional programme which covers most of the major makaton symbols. Music Factory An easy to use music building programme that gives people an excellent starting point for learning how to lay tracks, it's very versatile and a lot of fun to use.
Personal Success A great interactive life skills programme that addresses many situations a person can encounter in a day. It is very user friendly and is relevant to both young people and adults alike. Intellect and WCIT are the partners behind IT 4 Communities - an initiative to encourage companies and individuals with professional IT skills to volunteer these skills for the benefit of the community. Both IT volunteers and charities seeking assistance can register on the site www.it4communities.org.uk
Intellect is the trade association for the information technology, telecommunications and electronics industries in the UK representing 1000 organisations spanning blue-chip multinationals to early stage technology companies. Intellect is committed to improving the environment in which our members do business, promoting their interests and providing them with high value services. Visit www.intellectuk.org for more information.
Barnardo's works with 100,000 children, young people and their families in more than 300 projects across the country. This includes work with children affected by today's most urgent issues: poverty, homelessness, disability, bereavement and abuse. For more information on Barnardo's visit: www.barnardos.org.uk
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