Three community groups from Wandsworth have been awarded an internet-ready PC, thanks to a BT scheme aimed at getting community groups on-line.

More than 1,700 community groups across the UK, including 160 in London, have received £1 million worth of computers this year as part of the BT Community Connections award scheme.

In Wandsworth, the Hornsby International Dyslexia Centre, Wandsworth Orthodox Church and Wandsworth Work and Play were selected.

The Hornsby Centre, which provides training for teachers and tuition for dyslexic children in the area, will use the computer to improve internet access for pupils and teacher training.

Social gatherings, meditation and counselling services for elderly Eritrean and Ethiopan refugees with social and emotional problems are provided at the Orthodox Church.

The BT Community Connections award will be used to enable refugees to get in touch with people from their home countries, as well as gain access to news and information in their own languages.

Project co-ordinator Simon Kebede said the award had come as a huge surprise and was welcome.

"This will make a big difference to a lot of people,'' he said.

The third borough recipient, Wandsworth Work and Play, aims to reduce the impact of environmental waste by distributing clean, re-usable, donated materials to schools and other institutions.

The organisation also co-ordinates and runs workshops to promote the re-use of materials.

Wandsworth Work and Play plans to use its new computer to develop a website promoting the group's activities.

All members and suppliers could access the website and it would be regularly updated when supplies became available.

November 12, 2001 12:32