Thousands of pounds will be invested in education for people living on a housing estate.

Ascham Homes, the organisation which manages council properties, applied to Hale End and Highams Park Ward Forum for £8,700 to buy computers and train staff in order to offer a range of courses for people living on the Aldriche Way estate.

As well as courses in IT, English, maths and science aimed at improving employment opportunities, a community internet hub will also be established.

The application was approved at a meeting last week.

The facility will be set up in a community room on the estate, which is currently used for surgeries by police, councillors and Ascham Homes.

Community and development officer, Rubeena Amanullah, submitted the successful application.

She said: "We will encourage young people living on the estate to use the facilities to apply for jobs and improve their job prospects, but the scheme is open to everyone and will not exclude anyone."

Aldriche Way resident Ranjan Savaraja, 40 said: "I'm really looking forward to seeing this new facility.

"I know of a lot of people that travel quite far to receive similar training so this will be helpful and convenient for many residents."

Stella Evans, 40, lives with her teenage son in Nicholas Court - the main tower block within the estate.

She said: "It will benefit a lot of people because many of the residents are of different ethnicities so teaching English to all ages is good news.

"The resources and facilities will give youngsters something to do and will be somewhere they can go to hunt for jobs online."  

Ascham Homes chief executive, Madeleine Forster, paid tribute to the hard work of residents in securing the grant.

She said: “The Aldriche Way tenants and residents association has worked very hard for their community over the past year.

"We were delighted to see the opening of the centre last year and look forward to seeing the ongoing benefits this community hub will bring to the local area.”

Cllr Darshan Sunger was one of the ward councillors who awarded the money and has been working with residents

He said: “This is a great achievement for the residents. There is nothing on the estate like this so it will be hugely beneficial for the wider community.

"It is important especially for the young people to come together and have access to computers and resources which they don’t necessarily have in their homes.
Currently, there is no place on the estate for them to go so hopefully this will encourage people to take advantage of a project aimed at improving their livelihood.”

A total of £17,000 has been allocated by the forum, including £3,000 for a public noticeboard in Beacontree Avenue in Walthamstow and £2,000 towards the cost of Highams Park Day, a community event held in the summer.