Helston Computer Club
Helston Computer Club was set up by retired local businessman, John Mitchell, in 2006.
The centre set out to provide broadband internet access to people in the local community and to increase skills levels, so that people could get the most out of the Internet and IT. John said ‘We want to make sure everyone in the community can benefit from IT and the internet.’
The centre attracted a wide cross section of users, appealing in particular to the elderly, people with disabilities and the workless.
One of the regular users, Annie Heyden of Mullion is now an avid broadband user and uses it to stay in close contact with her children and grandchildren, who all live hundreds of miles away.
Annie says ‘Because of broadband, I can have frequent communication with all my family. The grandchildren send me photos of what they have been up to and the latest photos of their pets. My grandson even persuaded me to join MSN Messenger. It’s great – I can have live email chats with them over the Internet. One of my sons is planning to spend some time in Australia soon, but because of broadband, if he goes it will not seem so far away.’
Annie continues ‘I do my banking online now. It’s wonderful and saves me having to travel into Helston all the time as we have no banks in Mullion anymore. I also use it for shopping sometimes and this makes life a lot easier, especially when you live in Cornwall and would have to travel a long way to be able to find what you were after in the shops.’
For further information about the support available under actnow reach or to apply for funding, please call Stephen Caen at actnow on 0800 800 935 or email reach@actnowcornwall.co.uk
actnow reach is funded by the Rural Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Partnership and Cornwall Enterprise
