Doorway received funding last year from the Community Foundation for Swindon and Wiltshire and the EU for 22 IT sessions.

The programme, which was run by Ian Dunn of the Learning Curve was attended regularly by 6 guests and 3 of them have just received Level 1 CLAIT certificates in creating spreadsheets, file-management and e-document production.

Learning Curve tutor Ian Dunn taught the CLAIT computer classes at Doorway and was really impressed with the way the guests progressed through the course: "They really want to learn, which, as any teacher will tell you, is half the battle"

Chris, one of Doorway's guests who has benefited from the experience said: "It feels good to be learning a new skill. I was nervous at first, but the atmosphere here is so friendly, and I feel as if I'm really getting somewhere - though it has been hard work!

Margaret Cleverley, Doorway's Project Manager said: " The opening of the new IT suite at The Salvation Army Hall last year offered us new possibilities for helping our guests to move on in their lives - and we were delighted to be granted funding by the Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon, supported by the EU, to offer computer classes in the new training room.

We congratulate Paul and Chris on their success in achieving these modules in CLAIT. The funding for IT has unfortunately run out now, but we are hoping to set up some more classes in the near future to help more guests escape the threat of unemployment and homelessness.

article added 12th June 2007