Between 1st and 3rd October, Essex UnITe, one of Genesis Community's partners with its Older and Vulnerable People programme, held a roadshow at Meadows Shopping Centre in Chelmsford to help 700 older people learn basic computing, email and internet skills. Genesis Community is part of Genesis Housing Group.

Essex UnITe, which also works in partnership with Millrace IT, Essex County Council, Chelmer Housing, Age Concern and Help the Aged, is funded by the Big Lottery. The two-year project aims to teach computer skills at sheltered housing schemes and community workshops to raise awareness of the power of computers and promote the benefits of lifelong learning to 8,000 people on the whole.

Activities at the roadshow included an interactive general knowledge quiz to help first-time computer users understand how to use the keyboard and mouse. Those who participated were entered into a prize draw to win a digital photoframe or a Nintendo Wii.

While a computer hotdesk was available in the Meadows Shopping Centre for one-to-one attention from qualified tutors, Genesis Community's Digital Ambassadors - including Albert Hearn, aged 87 -helped persuade older Chelmsford shoppers give it a go.

Albert Hearn said "It is wonderful to be part of a project where you can physically see the difference. I spoke to many different people and the majority of them decided to come and try out the computers. Even at my age I am still helping to change people's lives by giving them this opportunity and that makes me feel very worthwhile."

Polly Boardman, Genesis Community's Older and Vulnerable Persons Officer, was confident this would be the first of many interactive events. She said "It has been a fantastic three days. The Ambassadors have pulled in the crowds, often resulting in queues for our quiz, and I have spoken to some very interesting people. Genesis Community will be looking at other ways that the Essex UnITe project can grow and benefit other older people across the county."

For further information about the project or the courses offered, please contact Millrace IT on 01376 518508.

Picture caption (l-r): Golden Ambassador Albert Hearn helps a resident improve his computer skills at the roadshow.

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For free community workshops offered by Genesis Community throughout October, please contact Polly Boardman on 020 8548 2562

Notes to editors

Genesis Community was set up in 2005 by Genesis Housing Group. It is a charitable foundation created to fulfil Genesis Housing Group's commitments to address the challenges of deprivation and social exclusion in disadvantaged areas. Projects delivered by Genesis Community focus on the key themes of young people, vulnerable and elderly people, safer communities, financial inclusion and training and employment

Digital Ambassadors are enthusiastic older volunteers who help promote the Essex UnITe project. They offer assistance to new residents in other schemes learning about computers by email, attend launches as representatives of Essex UnITe, and provide valuable feedback on other Older Persons projects. These ambassadors are also trained to use the Essex UnITe website and are responsible for updating the web pages for their schemes. They often provide opinions and advice on the direction of the project.

Millrace IT is a social business which provides the IT training for all the residents engaged in the Essex UnITe programme. Millrace IT acquires match funding from the Lottery Fund.

The Essex UnITe programme is based on the award winning London UnITe project undertaken with Springboard's East London supported housing schemes' customers. It aims to build on this success by using IT to encourage social inclusion as well as increasing older people's confidence and independence by creating a variety of life long learning and volunteering opportunities. Plans are also being drawn up to make training opportunities available to older people who are living in General Needs accommodation within the surrounding neighbourhoods of participating schemes.

Genesis Housing Group provides homes and services to tens of thousands of people across London and the south east. The Group consists of PCHA, Pathmeads and Springboard housing associations. It also has a charitable foundation, Genesis Community, and is one of the largest and most diverse housing groups in the UK. Genesis Housing Group owns and/or manages more than 40,000 homes across London and the south east. Its overiding aim is to put customers first and provide excellent service to all.