Broadbandconnect funds disability information line for Warrington

Local charity, Warrington Disability Partnership, has been awarded a grant of nearly £16,000 from broadbandCONNECT, a Northwest Regional Development Agency funded project, to provide the UK's first broadband information line for disabled people, in and around Warrington.

The grant, from broadbandCONNECT's community chest fund, will subsidise a one-to-one internet advice line, which because of the benefits of broadband will give disabled people access to instant, valuable information and answers from a team of qualified advisors (which include Independent Living and Direct Payments Advice, Employment, Training, Education and Volunteering), even from the comfort of their own homes.

Warrington Disability Partnership is a user led organisation who have been supplying quality information and many other services for the past 14 years. Warrington Disability Partnership's Trustee Terry Wadsworth (IT Support) stated " This equipment has brought the organisation into the 21st century and will enable staff to provide high speed total quality service to all our customers."

The new system will also allow our teams to research government and charity websites for the latest information, to ensure we give the best and most accurate advice and help to our service users"

The scheme will also be easy to use as it can be accessed by simply logging on to one of a number of widely used communication and chat packages, such as MSN Messenger and Web Cam Net Meeting or VoIP solutions. These will be accessible from home or customers will be able to access the services from Warrington Disability Partnership's Information Point based in Warrington Retail Market.

Brun Corbishley, Assistant Operations Manager, of Warrington Disability Partnership, comments, "This grant will make a big difference to the lives of a lot of the Warrington community, At times, many people with disabilities struggle to get to a place where practical help and advice is at hand and can feel shut off in their homes. This scheme will provide a lifeline for them, wherever they are, including when out shopping the Warrington Disability Partnership's Information Point in Warrington Market is linked to the network and will give communication links for help with everyday tasks".

"With the increase of demand on our services, we couldn't supply our customers needs to its full potential with out this much needed and appreciated Broadband and Tele-communication system. Warrington Disability Partnership would like to thank the partners involved in this project including Paul Manfredi (Broad connect), Craig Whittaker (Hexel Developments) for installation and support and ongoing maintenance, Colin Murphy (Gem Comms Telecommunications)"

The grant has also funded the provision of a computer network and broadband Internet service at Warrington Disability Partnership's office in Warrington. This will not only allow the staff to work more efficiently, but also reduce the organisation's overall operating costs.

Paul McDonald, broadbandCONNECT's Project Manager, continues, "Due to the 'permanently on' nature of broadband, advisors will be able to instantly offer support via PC during working hours, providing a totally new service to disabled people in the community, all based on broadband technology. The advice line is the first of its kind in the North West and more importantly in this sector, and if successful, could provide a model for other charities to follow"

BroadbandCONNECT's community chest fund is aimed at supporting innovative broadband-based projects being undertaken throughout Cheshire and Warrington by community groups, charities and welfare groups as well as private companies.

Kevin Morley, NWDA Head of ICT Policy, said, "This project will provide a valuable service for disabled people in the region and really shows how broadband can be utilised to improve people's quality of life immensely. We look forward to announcing the funding of more projects in the near future that show the strength of broadband's reach."

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