Introduction

Castlemilk Connections (CC) is an Information Communication Technology (ICT) project managed by Castlemilk Economic Development Agency (CEDA) to promote digital inclusion/lifelong learning within the Castlemilk community. CC is supported by a number of stakeholders including, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, European Regional Development Fund, Castlemilk Partnership, Communities Scotland and Glasgow City Council.

Following the project start date in May 1999 CC has delivered a number of initiatives to 'bridge the digital divide' by enhancing the ICT infrastructure and skill base within local voluntary/social economy organisations, SMEs and the wider community.

Aims

If the second phase of project funding is successful for the next 3 years, CC will work towards:

1. Developing local skills base using ICT by: improving access to learning opportunities
2. Developing the ICT infrastructure by: widen community access to ICTs.
3. Developing the on-line information services by: improving the level of community awareness using on-line information services to promote e-empowerment by developing the skills & awareness throughout the community
4. Enhancing local Outreach Support by: improving the ICT operational effectiveness of local social economy organisations & SMEs through customised one-to-one ICT & learning support.
   

Services
A number of service have been implemented to promote digital inclusion, some of which include:

• Community learning centre provides a range of activities to encourage lifelong learning activity throughout the community. (Contact 0141 631 4091 for further information)
• Childcare & youth health (www.healthspot.org.uk) website (support has been provided to improve the performance and communications of local organisations)
• Work based learning initiative (this service aims to encourage bite sized ICT & accredited learning development to improve the efficiency of local organisations using ICTs)
  

Latest News

• Learning Centre employs ICT Outreach Worker. As part of Castlemilk Connections commitment to promote and encourage learning through ICTs the dedicated outreach worker will provide learning support for local organisations and residents. The project aims to raise ICT awareness & encourage community learning.
• Castlemilk Connections secures Glasgow City Council Digital Inclusion Fund - Funding has been secured to help assist the first phase development of Castlemilk community website.
• CEDA branded as Learndirect Centre - As part of Castlemilk Connections commitment to promote community access to lifelong learning the existing resource rooms has been converted into a learning suit for all clients to use. The official launch has been scheduled for April 2002.
  

• Castlemilk Connections secures 3 year ERDF Objective 2 & Community Fund funding - Castlemilk Connections has secured funding for 3 years. The emphasis of the project will focus on developing ICT solutions to improve the effectiveness of local organisations.
• Youth Health Spot on-line - Support has been provided to develop a website for Youth Health Spot to improve awareness and communications throughout the community. New feature including Just ask and registering e-mail accounts on-line provides an additional service for local teenagers to express their views at any time on-line. (view the site at www.healthspot.org.uk)
• Castlemilk Connections promoted on NGFL communities website - National Grid for Learning have promoted Castlemilk Connections as an 'on-line story' to promote and encourage community ICT development throughout Scotlands communities.
• Learning Centre Branded through Learndirect & ECDL - To ensure a high level of customer learning support is provided quality standards have been implemented using the systems outlined by Learndirect following the branding launch in July 2001
  

• Community Learning Centre Launched - In June 2001 Margaret Curren (Deputy Minister for Social Justice) officially launches the community learning centre
• Work based Learning initiative - In May 2001 a laptop scheme was launched to encourage work based ICT learning. The aim of the initiative is to prepare individuals for ECDL accreditation.
  

For further details please Contact:
Paul cassidy
ict co-ordinator
Castlemilk Economic Development Agency
Glenwood Business Centre
21 Glenwood Place - Glasgow - G45 9UH

phone: 0141 634 1024
Fax: 0141 634 2275
e-mail: paul.cassidy@ceda.org.uk
website:www.ceda.org.uk