COMPUTER BOOST FOR COMMUNITY CONNECTION WINNERS

Source : 01/07/2002 Coventry Evening Telegraph

Four community groups in Coventry and Warwickshire have been awarded with computers thanks to a BT scheme.

The BT Community Connections scheme announced this week it was presenting 29 West Midlands community groups with a computer each to help connect people to the internet.

Winners include The GAP - in Kenilworth, The Clopton Community Forum in Stratford, Rugby and District Sea Cadets and the Jesus Army Charitable Trust in Coventry.

Richard Wolfe, a community consultant who helped judge the awards, said: 'The high standard of applications from a wide range of groups in the community made judging hard.'

'We were looking for groups that showed an innovative use of the internet while seeking to improve and unite community life through IT training, employment opportunities and better communication.'

Entries were judged on how groups planned to improve or extend the benefits they already offered to their communities and how many more people's lives would improve with access to the internet.