A computer suite was installed in the Drop-In Centre at 41a Main Street in 2000. The computers were for use in the centre but also and primarily to deliver adult training courses. Around this time ARCHES was approached by the Northern Regional College to join in a partnership application to the Lottery New Opportunities Fund for funding for training courses. This was successful and we were granted £48,000 spread over 3 years which we used to subsidise the costs of the training.
The first few courses were based in the Drop-In Centre and had to take place in the daytime as the centre was used by the young people in the evenings. We targeted adults who had not had the opportunity to use computers at school and who were finding it more and more necessary to be computer literate for everyday living.
When we were able to move the computers into ARCHES House, things became more flexible and we were able to offer day and evening courses to suit our students. Over the years we have delivered a variety of computer-based courses – beginners, CLAIT I and II, Internet and Email to begin with and then adding Digital Photography and Family History as demand arose. More recently courses on the use of tablets and iPads have been introduced as technology moves on.
Gradually over the years ARCHES have expanded the training programme to include a variety of craft and language courses including British Sign Language.
In 2004/5 we obtained funding from the Antrim Borough Partnership Peace II fund for our Peace Train project which allowed us to replace and update our computers. ARCHES was also able to replace the computers for a second time from their own resources in 2009/10.