Correspondence with Ronnie Corbett
October 31, 2006 Posted by Woodsy in : Digital Challenge, Wireless, Bristol, Regeneration, e-society, Mentoring, Learning, Skills , 3 commentsBristol Wireless has recently received an email from Ronnie Corbett, warden of Princess Royal Gardens in Redfield, where they installed an LTSP suite of allegedly ‘redundant’ computers in the residents’ common room. Ronnie now wishes to reach out to the local community and invite them in, where the resident mentoring team of silver surfers will be on hand to assist. The text of Ronnie’s email is reproduced below:
“I am writing on behalf of a group of elderly people in sheltered housing seeking education through lifelong learning, who have been assisted by Bristol Wireless and the Bristol Quartet to set up computer suites in several sheltered housing schemes that enable us to seek out information on any subject and in addition to obtain and have access to the same information as everyone else.
“Our wish is to share our use of the internet service and computer suite with the wider community and also to use the computers to connect and contact our neighbouring communities across Bristol and the world so as to enhance our lives and the lives of our fellow elderly people, regardless of their colour, creed, political persuasion or sexual preference.
“Much has already been achieved, but before we can invite those members of the wider community into Princess Royal Gardens, it will be necessary to make safe and hide all the wiring behind trunking and all the work that entails. We need funding to do this, which forms the next part of this worthwhile project. Bristol Quartet has already kindly provided grant aid to train 16 elderly people in the use of computers. Those 16 people have in turn acted as mentors, passing on what they have learnt to some thirty others and brought people together in a contented atmosphere of integration.
“The people who will benefit are the elderly, i.e. over 55s, plus anyone who may need help or who is lonely and isolated, any who are referred to us and who would wish to join us at times and dates to be arranged. This would also include anyone who fits the criterion of over 55 and who just wishes to be somewhere with people of their own age. We have no barrier to grandchildren. In fact, we welcome and encourage the children to help Gran or Granddad to use the computers effectively.
“Trusting that you feel our plea for funding is a worthy one, we thank you in anticipation and say thank you for all your previous help.
Yours sincerely
Ronald Corbett
Scheme Manager, Princess Royal Gardens”
If you feel you can help Ronnie, please feel free to call him on 07769882803 or email him.
KWMC visits Neighbourhood Arts
Posted by Roz in : Digital Challenge , 1 comment so farDialogue 4: Roz Hall of Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) meets Annie Beardsley, Neighbourhood Arts, The Health Park on 11 October 2006
I travelled to Knowle West Health Park where I met with Annie Beardsley. Annie told me that digital photography is used a lot in her work for marketing and publicity but the equipment they have is quite archaic and so what is produced is limited. However, she said that digital photography is useful in terms of being able to upload images easily onto the website of activities that happen at the Healthy Living Centre. She told me that people involved in the groups that meet, at the Health Park e.g Art Club and Women of Worth, look at the web site to find out what is happening.
Annie said that the use of the internet, especially regarding its potential use as a research tool, has been an important element of the art club at the centre. She told me that animation was also a very popular process and that digital photography as part of an animation process was also of interest to people.
KWMC meets The Park
Posted by Roz in : Digital Challenge, South Bristol , 2 commentsDialogue 3: Roz Hall of Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) meets Louise Elliott, Clive Harry and Emma Hinton, The Park: 9 October 2006
I travelled to The Park to meet with Louise Elliott, Emma Hinton and Clive Harry. Clive told me that he is manager of The Park as a whole, and that Emma and Louise manage all the education activities for 11 to 19 year olds. Clive explained that he works to ensure that the different elements of work at The Park come together coherently to contribute to the regeneration process. The Park has therefore been running a substantial programme with young people since it began in 2000. He went on to explain that young people’s achievement is a high priority in the local community. (more…)
BBC Innovation Labs come to Bristol
October 30, 2006 Posted by Clare in : Innovation, Media, Events , add a commentFollowing their success with pilots earlier this year, the BBC is extending its Innovation Labs programme for 2006/7 and will be visiting Bristol to launch the scheme on Friday 3 November.
Innovation Labs bring together BBC Commissioners and regional digital media companies to develop and commission innovative new products and services for the BBC. The launch event will allow interested companies to learn more about the new briefs, receive more information about the BBC’s new media strategy and technological infrastructure, and have an opportunity to meet BBC commissioners and ask questions about the kind of projects the BBC is looking for this year. (more…)