The Fairfield and Howley Neighbourhood Project logoVolunteer's expertise benefits community

Client

The Fairfield and Howley Neighbourhood Project is a community centre based in Warrington. The centre offers in excess of 500 members of the local community an opportunity to engage with one another through social events, as well as providing training, conference and meeting facilities for local groups.

The challenge

The Fairfield and Howley Neighbourhood Project acquired an old primary school to use as a venue, along with an assortment of equipment. The team was unsure of how to re-deploy the equipment; how much of it, if any, could be used and how to configure what was usable into something operational.

Our help

iT4Communities volunteer Richard Gray offered his expertise to help the project improve its IT facilities. Richard disposed of obsolete equipment and then procured, installed and commissioned replacement equipment to meet recognised industry standards. Richard donated 4-6 hours per month over several months and has since formed an ongoing relationship with the project.

The results

  • Disposal of obsolete equipment
  • Extended wireless coverage enabling more user access
  • Functioning CCTV camera providing added security
  • No need to install broadband resulting in cost saving in the short term
  • Ongoing IT support in place

What our client said

Richard has been a blessing. He came to support our IT needs but he has also brought additional skill to the project and the running of the community centre. His support and commitment has gone far beyond any expectations we may have had when we first thought about this project. Despite coping with chronic ill health, Richard is continuing to make a valuable contribution to our community.

Gwen Lightfoot, , Development Manager - The Fairfield and Howley Neighbourhood Project

31st October 2011