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EVH (Electronic Village Halls)
Other pages in this section - Community EVH's | Council
EVH's | EVH Success Stories
What is a Community EVH?
 Good
Question – and a one which has no definitive answer - specific
definitions of an “EVH” differ with each organisation.
They reflect the different types of communities in which they are
located, they represent the place “where people go”.
The Community EVH Strategy reflects the theory that - it is essential
that the needs and requirements of the local communities and neighbourhoods
are the priority.
In order to engage with local people and encourage the provision
of ICT within community based venues several different Models of
Community EVH have been identified. The ethos is not that of ‘one
size fits all’ but rather that a multi faceted approach be
taken to remain responsive and therefore making ICT more appealing
to everyone. All Community EVH's supported by the e-Neighbourhoods
Programme offer free access to ICT and if required, structured courses
for local people in a friendly, non-threatening environment at a
time that is convenient for them.
Where are the e-Neighbourhoods Community EVH's?
In December 2003 the e-Neighbourhoods Programme developed the first pilot
Community EVH's in partnership with Community Organisations within which
they were based
Each Community Organisation has a suite of Internet ready PCs, scanners and
printers; all supported by the e-Neighbourhoods Technical Support Officer.
In addition, full training has been given to individuals within each Organisation
who are the e-Champions of the technologies and they act as friendly facilitators
for local people using the EVH. All three of the pilot Community EVH Organisations provide facilities for
Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities, and work at integrating citizens
from different ethnic and social backgrounds. By enabling these Community Organisations
to provide access to technologies, skills and training the e-Neighbourhoods
Community EVH Strategy promotes community cohesion and cross community dialogue.
The e-Neighbourhoods Programme also works in Partnership to support Community
EVH's at:
The Team are also currently working to develop Community EVH's at:
- Unity Multicultural Centre (Diary of an EVH coming soon)
- St David's Church Hall Farringdon
- Southwick Salvation Army
The Community EVH Strategy contributes to the Local Strategic Partnership’s
key Principles and Strategic Objectives in the themes of Community Cohesion,
Equalities, Learning and Social & Cultural Opportunities.
Click here to
view the Sunderland Strategy
Washington Church of Christ
 Converted
from an old Primary School, the Washington Church of Christ has
always been much more than a church. The minister, Rev Joseph Hannan,
is keen to impress that the building is only a church on a Sunday,
whilst during the week it forms a thriving Community Centre that
plays host to many of the area’s community groups.
Between 500 and 1,000 people from the Community use
the building every
week for a variety of purposes. The church is also home to the Washington
Asylum Seekers Project (WASP), where asylum seekers within the town
of Washington
visit for advice and help with trusted advisors. As a Community e-Champion
Joseph, is only too aware of the importance of ICT and the difference they
can make in his work with the most socially excluded:
 “
Washington Church of Christ is currently a very busy Community Centre,
and the installation of an EVH brings a whole new dimension to the
work we do here with the community. As well as all the courses we
plan to run in conjunction with Sunderland College and the Learning
Partnership such as ESOL (English for speakers of other languages),
the installation of the equipment will give the Centre wider appeal
to new as well as existing users in the community.”
North East Refugee Service Sunderland Branch
The North of England Refugee Service was established in 1989 as an independent
and charitable organisation that exists to meet the needs and promote the
interests of asylum seekers and refugees who have arrived or have settled
in the North of England. NERS acts as an agent of positive change in order
to improve the everyday life conditions of asylum seekers and refugees, and
to promote social inclusion by facilitating their integration and equal participation
within British society.
As well as working directly with asylum seekers, NERS is also involved in
a host of other refugee related work. The e-Neighbourhoods Programme provided
five PC’s in the Sunderland branch of the organisation in the centre
of Sunderland for use by the clients and volunteers. Internet access has had
quite an impact, as it enabled quick access to a whole raft of additional information
that they will find useful. The Refugee Service have also worked with the e-Neighbourhoods
Programme to build their own site.
Sunderland Sikh Community Hall
Sunderland Sikh Association took over the disused and run down Christ
Church in Ashbrooke in September 2001. The old church hall is used
as the Gurudawa (place of worship), with the former church building
forming a large Community Centre.
In a true spirit of community cohesion, Ashbrooke Hall, is available for use
by anyone in the Community, hosting a wide range of events from wedding receptions
and children’s activities to Age Concern and Northumbria Police Cultural
Awareness Sessions. During the summer holidays, the Association holds exhibitions
aimed at young people, which last year was visited by pupils for over 60 schools
across the region.
General Secretary of the Sikh Association, Mr Buta Singh
Sangha, is delighted at the benefits that becoming a Community EVH brings.
He said “Not only
does the EVH improve the skills of people who may not have good access to
computers, but it introduces IT to people who think that computing has nothing
to offer
them.”
Plains Farm and Humbledon Community Initiative
Based in the grounds of Plains Farm Primary School, Plains Farm
and Humbledon Community Initiative is a community facility for the
use of all residents of the Plains Farm, Humbledon and surrounding
areas in South Sunderland. This recently refurbished centre runs
activities for local people offering courses and family learning
opportunities for adults, as well as driving opportunities for children
and young people on the estate. As part of the refurbishment the
Centre was fitted with a state of the art IT Suite. The room is
equipped with 6 PCs, with broadband internet access, along with
printing facilities, scanner and digital camera. The e-Neighbourhoods
Team provide advice on Training and Technical Support.
High Grindon House
The new £19,000 computer suite was installed in response to
residents consultation as part of the Sunderland Housing Group’s
£800,000 refurbishment project. The EVH was developed in partnership
between the Sunderland Housing Group and North Sunderland Family
Zone. The suite has 5 PCs with Internet access and e-mail with technical
training & support provided by the e-Neighbourhoods Team.
Other Community Venues offering access to ICT:
Sunderland North Family Zone, Hylton Castle Shopping Parade - 0191 5160065
BRIDGE Women's Centre - 0191 4172445
Washington Millennium Centre – 01912193883
http://www.washingtonmillenniumcentre.co.uk/
Southwick Neighbourhood Youth Project - 0191 5491179
http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/pages/community_health
Southwick Primary - 0191 5535500
http://www.southwickprimary.ik.org/
Salvation Army Southwick - 0191 5481786
GATES EVH, Grindon - 0191 5347462
http://www.gatesonline.org.uk/
Sandhill View Community Building - 0191 553 8870
http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries
Houghton Racecourse Community Access Point – 0191 5534020
Hendon Young Peoples Project - 0191 5537717
3Ls Community Association - contact Hendon Community Link Team 0191 5102662
Sunderland Catholic Youth Project - 0191 5656021
Commercial Road Youth & Community Project – 0191 5145152
Raich Carter Sports Centre - 0191 567 2734
http://www.raichcarter.com/
Plains Farm & Humbledon Community Initiative - 0191 525 0007
www.plainsfarmcommunity.org.uk
Herrington Burn YMCA - 0191 385 2822
http://www.ymca.org.uk
Easington Lane Community Access Point - 0191 5261071
Pallion Residents Action Group - 0191 5142011
SAFC Black Cats Bus - contact SAFC Foundation - 0191 551 5000
http://www.safc.com
UK on-line Centres
UK online centres aim to provide everyone in the UK with access
to computers near to where they live, as well as help and advice
on using them. Centres can be found in internet cafes, public libraries,
colleges, community centres and village halls The centres provide
access to computers and the internet to help people of all ages
develop computer skills, with trained staff and volunteers on hand
to give advice and support.
UK On-Line Centres in Sunderland
Pitman Training - 184 High Street West – 01937 548500
http://www.pitman-training.com
Age Concern - Stockton Road - 0191 514 1131
http://www.acsunderland.org.uk/
Springboard – Roker Avenue - 0191 564 0291
Southwick Neighbourhood Youth Project – Southwick Road – 0191
548 0828
City of Sunderland College – Bede Centre - 0191 511 6000
http://www.citysun.ac.uk
Springboard – Pallion Workshops Pallion West Industrial Estate – 0191
567 8647
Wearside Community Development Trust – Swan Street – 0191 548
8884
For more information on UK On-Line Centres visit
www.ufi.com
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