Press Release

Free training for residents

January 2007

Free computer access and free computer training

Help’s at hand for people in Islington who do not have access to a computer at home or who feel they need to learn about using computers and accessing the Internet. Computers are available to use free at all Islington libraries and Learning Centres and staff are there to help you.

The following are quick links to the information on this page:

Free computer access and free computer training
Islington Online - Free training from neighbourhood learning centres
What are the learning centres for?
Who can use the learning centres?
How much does it cost?
Where are the learning centres?

Free computer access and free computer training
Help’s at hand for people in Islington who do not have access to a computer at home or who feel they need to learn about using computers and accessing the Internet. Computers are available to use free at all Islington libraries and Learning Centres and staff are there to help you.

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Islington Online - Free training from neighbourhood learning centres
Islington Online is a network of 20 neighbourhood learning centres and a mobile computer bus. The learning centres offer free courses at a range of easily accessible community centres, schools and libraries throughout the borough.

Courses offered include:

• information and communications technology (ICT)
• literacy and numeracy
• English for speakers of a second language (ESOL)
• media
• film and video
• digital photo editing
• Recognised ICT and literacy and numeracy qualifications are also offered.

Each centre is installed with the latest computers, interactive whiteboards, printers and broadband Internet. The centres are connected via a network, which allows users to move between the sites to continue their learning.

For general information about Islington Online call the Adult and Community Learning team on 020 7527 5782 or email acl@islington.gov.uk

The centres were developed by the council in partnership with Islington's voluntary sector, City and Islington College, City University, Islington Training Network, Finsbury Park Partnership, EC1 New Deal for Communities and Arsenal Football Club.

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What are the learning centres for?
The centres have been set up to interest local people in the use of new technology and help them learn locally.

The centres also provide you with opportunities to gain a recognised qualification in IT, Film and Video and Literacy and Numeracy.

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Who can use the learning centres?

• Anyone that lives or works in the London Borough of Islington.
• Anyone who has never used a computer and wants to learn for fun or for more formal reasons can go along to their local learning centre.
• If you are an experienced user, you can still use the centres. There are ‘open access’ sessions where anyone is free to use the equipment in the centre, whether it be checking your email, writing a letter or just practicing your skills. If you have any problems, while you are there, just ask. The staff are very friendly and are there to help you have some fun and learn at the same time. The centres are also able to update individual's skills and improve job prospects.

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How much does it cost?
Use of the centres is FREE! However, some accredited courses and printing facilities may have a cost involved

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Where are the learning centres?
There are 20 sites scattered around the borough: For further details of their locations contact the ACL team on 020 7527 5782 or click the following link:
http://www.islington.gov.uk/Education/AdultEducation/IslingtonOnline

The Online Learning Bus

Arachne
2nd Floor, 67 – 83 Seven Sisters Road, London N7 6BY

Arsenal Red Zone
Arsenal Stadium, Avenell Road, London N5 1BU

City and Islington College - Local
8 Central Parade, 36 Junction Road, London N19 0RN

CSV Media Clubhouse
White Lion Centre, White Lion Street, Angel, London N1 9PW

Durham Road Lifelong Learning Centre
86 Durham Road, Finsbury Park, London N7 7DU

The Elfrida Society
The Tom Blythe Centre, 34 Islington Park Street, London N1 1PX

Elizabeth House Lifelong Learning Centre
6 Hurlock Street, London N5 1ED

Islington African Project
7 Elthorne Road, Archway, London N19 0RN

Film & Video Workshop
Hungerford Primary School, Hungerford Road, London N7 9LF

First Steps Lifelong Learning Centre
Central Library, 2 Fieldway Crescent, London N5 1PF

The Goswell Centre
180 Goswell Road, London EC1V 7DT

Hanley Crouch Lifelong Learning Centre
The Laundry, Sparsholt Street, London N19 4EL

Hargrave Park
Hargrave Park School, Hargrave Park, Archway, London N19 5JN

Hilldrop Online
Hilldrop Community Centre, Hilldrop Road, London N7 0JE

HNG Multimedia
84 Mayton Street, Holloway, N7 6QT

Market Online
The Clocktower Office, 36 North Road, London N7 9TU

Mayville Community Centre
Woodville Road, Mildmay, London N16 8NA

Platform 1
EGA School, 2 Donegal Street, Angel, London N1 1AR

Thornhill Neighbourhood Centre
First Floor, Orkney House, 199 Caledonian Road, London N1 0AF

Turkish Education Group
2 Newington Green Road, London N1 4RX