HOMELESS people using a Worcester hostel have access to communal computers to help them get the most out of vital services online.

The single homeless people who find themselves at St Paul’s Hostel in Tallow Hill, Worcester, have received new communal computers funded by the Our Happy Place Partnership in a bid to improve 'digital connectivity' among service users.

Fliss James, support and development coordinator at St Paul’s said: “Access to all kinds of services is increasingly online. We must prepare those that can, to use digital technology so they can take control.

"We ran sessions with our partners at YSS during the summer.”

As Universal Credit rolls out across the county, there is an expectation that people will use the web to access the service.

She said: “We see appointments for the GP and banking now being routinely undertaken online. This is a big challenge for people who don’t have confidence or may lack basic numeracy and literacy skills."

St Paul’s have also been involved in a national digital initiative.

Project ‘Re-boot’, run by the Tinder Foundation, examined how digital technology could improve health and well being.

St Paul’s was chosen as one of only 12 organisations in the county to take part.

Mrs James said: “Re-boot and ReKonnect demonstrated that many homeless people can use technology but it reinforces the need for informal digital learning opportunities and access to people who can help them.

“Many people need one-to-one help because they do not have the confidence to attend more formal tuition."

Our Happy Place partnership addresses long term inequalities that exist in the wards of Warndon, Gorse Hill and Rainbow Hill. For more information visit www.worcester.gov.uk/ourhappyplace