Watch is a Community Organisation based in Hillfields, and is directed by a Management Committee of 15 local residents.  It is involved in a number of projects which include an Employment and Advice Centre, Community Team, Young Peoples project and a Learndirect Centre.

The project will enable local people in the Hillfields area to access state of the art ICT equipment in a number of client focused ways. 

• It will develop and manage a UK on-line Centre for Hillfields allowing local people to gain access to the internet using broadband connectivity

• Develop formal IT training (in partnership with other agencies e.g. Adult Education, Henley College, City College)

• Allow local people to access job vacancies, careers advice, and email

• Develop informal i.e. one to one or small group training for clients of the project

• Develop bite size learning opportunities for clients of the project

• Develop a Learn Direct Centre for residents of Hillfields or clients using the Centre

• Fully investigate the potential for providing affordable internet access for local people using wireless or other similar technology.  Enabling local people to receive a variety of information in their own homes including up to date job vacancies and the resources of the Learn Direct Centre

This project has enabled Watch to provide computer access to the community.  The computers in the Employment Centre are regularly used by clients to access the internet to send e-mails, use Home Choice and for information.

The computer suite upstairs provides students with the opportunity to undertake Learndirect courses and also taught computer courses.  Other courses such as ESOL and the Driving Theory Test take advantage of the technology to deliver to students.

In addition to the facilities at Watch a computer suite has been opened at OSABA and the Early Years Centre using ERDF funding, all providing community access.