1. To help raise confidence, self-esteem and aspirations of people in North Staffordshire.
2. To provide a centre in Audley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, that will facilitate aim 1, and be a base for skills programmes based on communication from interpersonal skills through to Internet use. The centre will compliment existing facilities in the area.
3. To provide help and support for older people to engage with, and utilise new technology.
4. To encourage people to see opportunities to work in the knowledge based industry whilst continuing to live in a rural community.
5. To capitalise on the strengths of local people and keep talent in the area.
6. Link to existing partnerships to facilitate the exchange of learning experiences.

The centre will be primarily aimed at people in the Audley, Silverdale and Chesterton districts. However, in the long term, it is hoped that the take-up will be from people in North Staffordshire.

It will be aimed at all age groups, but initially concentrate on two sectors of population; post 16 to 25 and 50+. A major strategy element is to encourage these sectors to work together to enhance their individual skills. Thus, encouraging mutual respect and understanding.

The Centre will be a local building to provide a focus for the planned activities. It will provide a range of facilities, described more fully below, but it will have the feel of a community/club reminiscent of the youth club era, but for all ages.

There will be a number of rooms that will be utilised for delivering personal development skills. Each room will be equipped as a modern training room with video, OHP and whiteboard available, but will remain flexible in their use.

There will be at least one room specifically designed for IT and Internet training. This will have a number of networked PCs, and could have a large master screen/whiteboard for demonstration purposes.

There will be at least one room, which has desk-based workstations and other office facilities such as phones, fax, photocopier etc., which can be hired out by the hour. This will encourage the concept of integration between working and learning.

The Network connection will be as fast as possible to ensure these facilities are seen as progressive, useful and well supported.

There could be a Resource Centre, providing access to distance learning materials, Library facilities, research material etc.

It is important that the Centre is something that both the council and local people are proud of. They will want to visit the Centre and use the facilities.

Consequently, the Centre should be welcoming and non-threatening – the feel you get when going into a Primary School. The concept of an Adult Youth Club is useful, because it conjures a picture of plenty and varied activities with a distinct Social agenda. Different generations working together, exchanging skills and developing mutual respect.

It will have a sense of purpose as it will be a learning and working environment. People will feel supported by the helpful approach from the Centre management and the general supportive rather than dependency culture established at the outset.

People will feel attracted towards taking part, because the activities will be exciting, useful, delivered in a non-threatening way and they will leave the Centre after each visit with a sense of increased self-esteem.

The centre will provide a range of services and activities which may include the following:

• Basic one-to-one communication skills, possibly using the BT FutureTalk Programme. Communication is one of the most significant, yet under trained skills needed by potential employees.

• Communication skills are equally important in people’s daily lives from dealing with the \local Council to managing relationships. Life skills development, probably building on the BT FutureTalk Programme, and Including basic literacy skills would be available.

• A further enhancement of communication skills would be skills to improve employment prospects. These could include individual skills assessment sessions, CV writing, job application process, preparation for Interview, interviewing skills etc.
• Basic IT skills is an essential requirement in the modern labour market. These would be made available on site with the possibility of an equipment loan facility to let people practise in their own time.
• E-mail facilities on site including training on its use.

• Internet Skills – Using the internet effectively

• A Hi-tech work place for local people to use desk-based Internet access to produce and deliver work packages. Similar to India.

• Locally derived classes delivering popular skills in subjects such as Arts and Crafts.
• Business services and advice could be made available in the longer term, leading to the Centre taking a more central role in the business community.
• A resource Centre facility will help people with access to learning materials, equipment, knowledge etc.