On Friday 16th July Toby Perkins, Labour Member of Parliament for Chesterfield, presented Carol Brooks with a brand new laptop computer after her name was drawn out of a hat on completion of an Online Basics computer skills course. Lucky Ms Brooks was the only student to be given the computer after passing all aspects of the government funded initiative which is aimed at improving IT skills throughout the country.
Online Basics is run by UK Online centres, which offered the opportunity for one of the successful students to win a laptop, presented by Mr. Perkins at Hurst House Adult Education Centre. Ms Brooks has learnt to send and receive emails, to write letters using computer software, use search engines and customise her work. Mr. Perkins, a long term supporter of adult retraining and education, also enjoyed a tour of Hurst House with Helen Figg, the Manager of the facility.
Mr. Perkins said:-
“Initiatives like Online Basics are vitally important to improving people’s work related skills and giving them the tools to make the most of computers and the internet. Carol was especially lucky as she benefited from the course and then won a fantastic new laptop! It was great to be invited to present her with her prize and to be shown around what is an invaluable organization”.
Robin Jeeps, Head of Learning at UK Online Centres added:-
“It was great to see Carol pick up her laptop prize from Toby this afternoon. She has worked really hard to learn her new skills here at Hurst House and now she can keep them up to date while learning with her family at home.”
