Banks Community Fund boosts local jobseeker prospects

The £4,760 grant will help jobseekersThe £4,760 grant will help jobseekers
The £4,760 grant will help jobseekers
A Midlothian charity has been boosted by a donation towards IT equipment.

The Banks Community Fund has awarded a £4,760 grant towards improving computing facilities at the Rosewell Development Trust.

Consisting of two high speed computers, four tablets, a printer and a range of software, the new equipment will provide local jobseekers with the necessary tools to apply for online jobs and attend courses to gain skills attractive to employers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The technology will also be a vital resource for local senior residents to learn computing skills – encouraging them to use tools such as Skype and connect with friends and relatives from across the globe.

Dave Mackay, a volunteer at Rosewell Development Trust, which was formed to secure the long term social, economic and environmental sustainability of the former mining community, believes that the grant will directly benefit a wide cross-section of the local community.

He said: “More and more important resources are moving online – and there is always a fear that some will be left behind. It can be surprisingly easy to lose track of technology as it advances at such pace.

“We’re doing all we can in this community to avoid this happening. This grant has enabled us to purchase these essential tools so we can help those who really need it.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Banks Group for this funding, as without it we simply couldn’t have considered buying all this new equipment anytime soon.”

The equipment will be used by the recently launched CLICK AND CONNECT COMPUTER CLUB and will be available during office hours for anyone wishing to use it to prepare CV’s or access the Internet.

Lewis Stokes, community engagement manager at Banks Property, said: “We are delighted to be able to help such a broad spectrum of the local community – through the important work that the trust is doing.

“In these former mining communities, it is essential to equip local people with the tools to make the area as prosperous as possible. IT proficiency is a huge part of that, as it is now a necessity with the majority of jobs – along with essential services moving online.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Banks Community Fund is a charitable fund set up by the Banks Group, the Hamilton-based property and renewable energy business.

Banks Property, part of the Banks Group, recently announced intentions to deliver an important property development at Rosewell, helping to tackle the lack of housing supply which is leading to inflated local prices.

Lewis added: “We’re really excited to be putting forward this proposal for a range of new homes in Rosewell.

“Demand for new homes with an easy commute to Edinburgh has easily outstripped supply, pushing up prices and making homeownership challenging for many.

“Developments such as this one at Rosewell are therefore essential to keep prices down and give hope to young families and people looking for good quality, affordable homes in an excellent location.”