In Nikki’s own words

 I heard about the course through doing the beginners course and through the Sure Start leaflets. I am doing the course because I wanted to improve on the skills I had learnt in the beginners course. I am really enjoying the course because although we are learning a lot about the computers and how to use them, we are also having a lot of fun. Since coming on the courses I am now have the confidence to touch a computer, which I never would have done before. I am looking forward to doing more computer courses in the future to broaden my horizons in the field of computers.

In Paula's own words

I registered with Sure Start at a local toddler group. They came in to do crafts with the children.  Following this I received regular mailings from Sure Start telling me about lots of courses available. My friend Suzanne and I toyed with a beginners computer course for a while and eventually Suzanne signed us both up.

 I had wanted to learn about computers for ages but didn’t feel confident enough to sign up for a college course. Sure Start seemed the ideal opportunity to learn. The course was free, the crèche was free it fitted in with school hours for my older children. What did I have to lose? I had to keep up with my older children somehow!

I started on the beginners IT course in April 2003. We started with the basics then moved on to learn about word, E-mail, the internet. It was easy to follow. I found the atmosphere relaxed and the tutor easy to understand. I enjoyed it so much that I signed up to do a follow on course starting in September 2003. We are now nearing the end of this course. We have taken things a step further and learned about access, excel and PowerPoint. This course was even better. We made animated books for our starring our children's favourite toys (I included my children in the story). They loved watching themselves move on the computer.

 The courses have given me the confidence to try new things. I hope to come back next year and learn about web pages. I think that what I have learned will help me when I am ready to go back to work. I would recommend a Sure Start IT course to anyone.

In Suzanne’s own words

 I first heard about sure start when they came to do some craft’s at a toddler group that I go to. I registered with them and then later received some leaflets about different courses. One of the courses was a beginner’s IT, and I thought it would be a good idea to get better computer knowledge, ready for any future job’s that I might like to apply for. When the course had finished I received a phone call from Claire Allen to ask if I would be interested in doing a follow up course. I was keen to go on the follow up course because I had enjoyed the beginner’s course and learnt a lot from it. More than anything my confidence in using a computer has grown considerably. Over the space of 7 months the course has helped me to understand and use Word, the Internet/e-mailing, access, PowerPoint and excel. I have used the knowledge that I’ve gained to be able to work confidently on my own computer, and it has given me the confidence to think about joining other courses.   

In Yuk’s own words

 I heard about this course whilst attending a different computer course at the library.

I wanted to attend this course because it is more thorough, and covers the main points that I need to have in order to be computer literate.

I have found this course very useful, although I tend to forget what I have learnt very easily, because I do not have access to a computer at home to practise on.  Therefore, I think ongoing courses covering many aspects of computing are helpful in keeping me in touch with computers, whilst I try to look for work in the near future, e.g. web designing, publisher, etc.