New Directions for recycled technology in Rugby
People with learning disabilities in Rugby are benefiting from two recycled computers, which have been donated to a local charity that is dedicated to providing them with care, support and accommodation.
New Directions, which was originally set up by local families some 40 years ago, is one of twenty community and voluntary organisations to benefit from Warwickshire County Council’s ‘great computer giveaway’.
On Friday 20th July, Councillor Heather Timms will formally present the free computers to residents at the charity’s Bilton Road headquarters.
New Directions accommodates people with learning disabilities in four different properties in Rugby. The charity is also developing its services beyond residential care and providing care and support for people with learning disabilities throughout the community.
The recycled computers will be used in their newly developed day care facility on Bilton Road. People visiting the centre will be encouraged to use the computers, part of a suite of four, to improve their key skills and communicate with other people via email.
Warwickshire County Council’s Rugby Area Committee had the tough task of deciding which community and voluntary organisations in the borough should benefit from the free computers.
Joanne Chatwood, Day Care Assistant at New Directions, said: “Due to the kind generosity of Warwickshire County Council we are now able to offer more of the individuals we support the chance to learn something new, and at the same time help them to both maintain and develop new and existing skills.”
Councillor Heather Timms said: “It’s great to be able to give two of the county council’s recycled computers to New Directions and we hope that it further helps all the very good work they do.
“We’re helping to put something back into the community via groups like this, and that’s just the sort of thing we want to do more of.”
Rugby Area Committee serves the whole borough of Rugby and has responsibility for making some decisions and recommendations about county council services in the area, while providing a local view on the big issues affecting the county. The committee also takes decisions on some grants to local organisations.