Michael Barton, from St James in Northampton, saw a poster on the noticeboard in his housing association advertising computer courses at his local UK online centre.
Michael’s son had been pestering him for months to take some courses to help him use computers, but he didn’t know where to get started. Seeing an advert for Northampton Citizens Advice Bureau UK online centre was just the push he needed.
“I was really scared when I first went into the centre”, Michael says. “I thought I could press a button and the whole screen would just go blank. I don’t think that now though! The centre’s great, and there’s always someone on hand if I get stuck. They’ve made it really easy to get started, and that’s exactly what I needed.
“I’ve found the courses on the Go ON website really useful and easy too - it’s great that you can go back if you get stuck. I can do loads of stuff now, and I’ve even managed to set up my own email address. I don’t think my son ever though I’d take his advice and find a course, or that I’d progress so quickly. Soon I’ll be able to email him myself!”
As well as emailing, Michael has also been looking for jobs online, and has found using the internet a really useful tool in his job search. “I don’t have a computer at home, so I go into the centre almost every day as it’s just down the road. I’m looking for jobs on the internet and have already been able to apply for some so I’m hoping I’ll be successful soon. Without being able to use the internet, it would be so much more difficult for me to find out which jobs are available and to apply for them. So many employers want you to apply online so it’s difficult to even submit an application if it’s not online.
“For anyone looking for work, I’d say you have to be online. It’s so hard to do it otherwise, and being offline can really be a disadvantage for potential employers.”
Michael’s delighted with the progress he’s made so far but he doesn’t think this is the end for his learning. He says: “I want to learn everything now! I’m happy I’ve got to grips with the basics but I want to go on and continue learning more. I love it and I’d recommend it to anyone!”
For Richard Wall, who runs the UK online centres project at the Northampton Citizens Advice Bureau, the partnership he’s got with the local housing association, Home Group, has been really positive – and it’s helped people like Michael use computers of the first time and make progress towards finding a new job.
Richard says “Home Group has been really keen to promote the work we’re doing at the CAB, and has made a real commitment to helping their residents to get online. I’m hoping their support will open up relationships with other housing associations in the area so we can reach even more people like Michael and help them to get online and take advantage of all of the benefits it can provide.”
