GROUNDBREAKING PROJECT TO BOOST COMMUNITY

 

People living in the Radford and Hyson Green areas of Nottingham are set to receive a major boost with the introduction of a groundbreaking IT based community information project.

 

At the heart of the initiative spearheaded by Neighbourhood Development Company (formerly New Deal for Communities Radford and Hyson Green - NDC), is a £800K scheme to create a private wireless broadband network and online information portal, designed specifically to meet the needs of local residents.

 

A number of local, regional and national partners have been brought together to deliver the project which is set to provide an innovative new service available to all 14,000 members of the community.

 

Polestar are providing networking expertise in addition to being the Internet Service Provider for the whole area.  Training & Support to compliment the project is also being project managed by Polestar.

 

A major benefit of the scheme will be the ability for service delivery agencies, such as NHS and Social Services, to share information without compromising confidentiality. The new portal will also:

 

• Provide local people with a valuable source of information and help;
• Meet the skills needs of residents by providing access to training information;
• Promote local business services to the immediate community;
• Engage people in the regeneration of their neighbourhood by helping them to report problems.
• Bridge the 'digital divide' giving residents access to the Internet and all its benefits

 

Jovica Prastalo, Operations Manager at NDC, said:

"The key to its success lies in the expansion of the portal which, over time, is set to deliver much more than a series of community-based websites.

 

"Information sharing is crucial in order to provide residents with better support.  The scheme will help to provide a more effective, 'joined-up' approach to help on a wide range of issues including disability, older peoples' care needs, homelessness, childcare, substance abuse, training needs and job matching."

 

Julian Smith, Managing Director of Polestar, added:

"I live in the NDC area myself and strongly believe that this project will improve the lives of everybody living here.  Not just the portal, but access to the Internet - bridging the 'digital divide' that excludes people who could most benefit from the products and services available for lower prices on the Internet.  I have a stake in this community and am very proud that such a ground-breaking development is happening here.  New technology and the opportunities it brings is so often seen as exclusive to more affluent areas".

 

Mick McLoughlin, BT Regional Director, East Midlands said:

"This innovative partnership initiative is a first of its kind in the UK. It will incorporate the latest wireless broadband technology from BT to create a private network within the local community, offering residents, both young and old, the opportunity to benefit from an online community portal with a wealth of local information resource and community tailored content". 

 

As part of the project, Social Enterprise Company, ELUSE, are providing a limited number of high-level re-conditioned computers to local residents, schoolchildren (through Islamia School, Djanogly City Academy and Blue Coats School) and businesses. 

 

A number of special kiosks will also be located around the community, providing links to the portal for those residents who do not have computers of their own.

	NDC Press Release - 13/12/2006 NDC Is Changing... New Deal for Communities programme for Radford and Hyson Green will be know as the Neighbourhood Development Company (NDC).

	NDC Press Release - 05/09/2006 Prime Minister Tony Blair supports NDC's groundbreaking ICT project.

	NDC Press Release - 20/06/2006 NDC Wireless Project... Press Release in full - "Groundbreaking Project to Boost Community".