Thank you for agreeing to participate in the 6-month pilot of the Mental Health Information Technology Project. The project will operate through a partnership approach and the pilot will involve co-operation between 3 mental health organisations: Mind in Manchester Ltd., the Schizophrenia Media Agency and PRIME (Promoting Realistic Meaningful Innovative Enterprise) as indicated in the outline of the project attached. The participants of the pilot include mental health service users and former users who are in close contact with the 3 mental health organisations listed above.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to an informal meeting of all the participants at 11 a.m. on Monday 20^th July 1998. The meeting will hopefully provide an opportunity for all the participants to meet with each other and share ideas, as well as asking questions about the project. The meeting will be held at PRIME, which is located at:

Employment Opportunities Unit
North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust
Delaunays Road
Crumpsall
Manchester
M8 6RL

For those of you who are already in close contact with PRIME there should be little or no difficulty in attending the meeting. However, do not hesitate to contact me if for any reason you cannot attend. If this is a problem please relay a message to me via Sara Ogden at PRIME.

Venue: PRIME
Attendees: Pam, David, Alan, Pippa, Ron, Peter, Tony, Dave, Jenni, Rowan.
Apologies: Musa, Jerry.

Rowan handed out copies of the project development plan and the project outline. Rowan also gave a verbal presentation, covering many of the topics, which appear in the written reports. Many important questions were put forward by the participants present. The issues discussed in detail included:

• Training times (10-11 am start to 4-5 p.m. finish, this will provide two spaces for individual training on a Q & A basis - catch-up etc between 10-11 am 4-5 p.m. Group training between 11-4 p.m.)
• Availability of equipment (Use of digital cameras etc. Rowan to feed back to group)
• Arrival dates and accessibility of PC’s (August 10^th at latest)
• Transport arrangements (car from New Mount Street at 9.30 am)
• Confidentiality issues (Names and pictures etc)
• Boundaries and parameters – Respect an individual’s privacy

Commitments were discussed in detail, including what would be expected of the participants in terms of their commitment to:

• Attend training days
• Contribute to the production, development and publication of a web site on behalf of the mental health organisation you are in close contact with.
• Contribute to a supportive environment for all concerned.

Rowan also outlined what the participants could expect from the project in terms of:

• The chance to participate in an innovative project with like-minded people.
• Accredited I.T. training towards a recognised qualification
• Travel and subsistence expenses on training days (Participants were reminded to bring receipts for travel)
• Access to a PC workstation, which meets the minimum specification requirements of the project, at the mental health organisation you are in close contact with.
• Continued technical support at the mental health organisation you are in close contact with.

The first training day will take place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday 3^rd August at the Manchester Telematics and Teleworking Partnership, Manchester Technology Management Centre, Rutherford House, Manchester Science Park, Manchester, M15 6GG. Rowan agreed to distribute maps and travel arrangements.

Many expressed their willingness to participate in the project and put forward ideas about what they hoped to achieve, including some preliminary ideas about potential web site content.

All present agreed that it would be useful to hold further meetings (Pilot Steering Group. In this way the participants would be able to have a voice in the development of the project’s pilot stage). Regular communication by ‘newsletter’ will also be pursued.

Thank you for attending the Mental Health I. T. Project Pilot Stage Participants Meeting, on Monday 20^th July 1998 at PRIME. I hope that you enjoyed meeting with the other people who will participate in the pilot stage of the project. Please find enclosed a copy of the minutes.
The first training day will take place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday 3^rd August at the Manchester Telematics and Teleworking Partnership, Manchester Technology Management Centre, Rutherford House, Manchester Science Park, Manchester, M15 6GG. Please find enclosed a map giving directions to Rutherford House.
I will be going via car from the Mind office at 23 New Mount Street at 9.30 a.m. for those who want a lift. There are currently 3 spaces available. Please phone me at work (953-4006) if you want a lift. Please find enclosed a map giving directions to 23 New Mount Street.
Finally, please could you check that your details at the top of this newsletter are correct. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries regarding the first training day.

Thank you for attending the first 2 Mental Health I. T. Project Pilot Stage training sessions. I hope that you enjoyed the introductory email and Internet sessions with Tish at MTTP. I will be installing the project’s PC workstations at MIND, SMA and PRIME this week. This will provide you all with the opportunity to practice what you have been learning so far, particularly as MIND, SMA and PRIME already have their own email accounts which you can all use to send and receive email and to surf the web.

MIND mind@mcr1.poptel.org.uk
SMA members.sma@good.co.uk
PRIME PRIME_1@compuserve.com

The next 3 training sessions will focus on training in the use of FrontPage 98 – a web site design package. These will all take place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday 17^th and 24^th August and Monday 7^th September at the Chorlton Workshop Electronic Village Hall, Chorlton Central Church, Barlow Moor Road, Manchester, M21 8BF. Please find enclosed a map giving directions to Chorlton Workshop EVH. I will be going via car from the Mind office at 23 New Mount Street at 9.30 a.m. for those who want a lift. Please phone me at work (953-4006) if you want a lift. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries regarding the next 3 training sessions.

Thank you for attending the Mental Health I. T. Project Pilot Stage training sessions so far. I hope that you are enjoying the FrontPage training with Nicola at to Chorlton Workshop EVH. Due to the bank holiday on Monday 31^st August, Training Session 5 will take place at the Chorlton Workshop Electronic Village Hall on Monday Sept 7^th. I will be going via car from the Mind office at 23 New Mount Street at 9.30 a.m. for those who want a lift. Do not hesitate to contact me at work (953-4005 / mind@mcr1.poptel.org.uk) if you have any queries regarding the training session 5.

All the PC’s have now been installed and there is plenty of time to practice what you have been learning so far. Keep emailing each other at the following addresses:

MIND mind@mcr1.poptel.org.uk
SMA members.sma@good.co.uk
PRIME PRIME_1@compuserve.com

You will also find shortcuts on the desktop of each PC pointing to the web sites that you have been developing. Keep working on them. Remember that moments of inspiration are quite likely to occur away from the training sessions.

The subsequent block of training sessions (6-13), at the Manchester Multi-Media Centre, will focus on training in the use of different Multi-Media design packages. Please find enclosed a map giving directions to the Manchester Multi-Media Centre. Unfortunately, we cannot use the centre on Monday Sept 14^th as planned. During Training Session 5, I will discuss the possibility of holding a Steering Group Meeting on Monday Sept 14^th instead. Therefore, training session 6 will take place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday 21^st September and training sessions 7-13 every Monday thereafter.

The following sessions are all due to take place at the Manchester Multi-Media Centre, Geoffrey Manton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Road.

Monday September 28th open session (Rowan Purdy - trainer)

Monday October 5th Macromedia Flash (John Frost - Trainer)

Monday October 12th open session (Rowan Purdy - trainer)

Monday October 19th ****** break *********

Monday October 26th ****** break *********

Monday November 2nd Macromedia Director 1(Nicola Teece - trainer)

Monday November 9th Macromedia Director 2(Nicola Teece - trainer)

Monday November 16th Macromedia Director 3(Nicola Teece - trainer)

Monday November 23rd Macromedia Director 4(Nicola Teece - trainer)

The following additional support sessions are optional. They are open to those participants who wish to consolidate what they have learned so far, work together in-groups or maybe just practice in a supported environment.

• Tuesdays 2.00-5.00 p.m. at the Mind in Manchester office and the SMA office, 23 New Mount Street – open to participants from Mind and SMA.
• Wednesdays 2.00-5.00 p.m. at the Mind in Manchester office, 23 New Mount Street – open to participants from PRIME.

Venue: Manchester Multi-Media Centre, Geoffrey Manton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Road.
Attendees: Pam, David, Alan, Ron, Peter, Tony, Dave, Rowan.
Apologies: Musa, Jerry, Jenni, John.

Many again expressed their wish for more supported training sessions. Some suggested they were unhappy with the inadequacy of the training notes. All present felt that there seemed to be a good sense of comradeship and support for each other emerging within the group.

In response to requests from participants Rowan has negotiated the use of the Mind in Manchester office for the provision of additional training support sessions. These are available on a drop-in basis for the duration of the project and will provide the chance to practice and consolidate what you have learned in a supported environment, and in particular to develop the web sites to be published. The Project PC’s at Mind, SMA and PRIME have all the relevant software installed and there are plenty of opportunities to practice what you have been learning so far. These take place at the Mind in Manchester General Office, 23 New Mount Street and are available as before:

Wednesdays 2-5 p.m. PRIME participants

Rowan mentioned that he would be going on leave for 3 weeks. There would be a 2 week gap in the training programme but all agreed that this would probably be a good thing as it would allow everyone the chance to consolidate what they had learned so far. Details of the revised timetable were available in the September newsletter.

Rowan encouraged all present to begin to think about ways of developing the websites in a structured and co-ordinated way. Many expressed their wish to look after specific areas of each site. Others suggested that they would prefer to look at the global picture – a more managerial or co-ordinator role.

Rowan will be sending out standardised evaluation forms in January. These will provide every participant with the chance to evaluate the training sessions, the support sessions and the project itself. Some may wish to contribute a personal evaluation in your own words, please feel free to do so. Please put these in my in-tray in the Mind in Manchester General Office, 23 New Mount Street.

Although the intensive training sessions are over, all participants are invited to make use of all Mondays leading up to publication (end of February 1999) to practice and consolidate what you have learned, and in particular to develop the web sites to be published. The Project PC’s at Mind, SMA and PRIME have all the relevant software installed and there are plenty of opportunities to practice what you have been learning so far. Keep emailing each other at the following addresses:

MIND mind@mcr1.poptel.org.uk
SMA members.sma@good.co.uk
PRIME PRIME_1@compuserve.com

If you require technical support from Rowan or a chance to practice in a supported environment, keep attending the training support sessions. These take place at the Mind in Manchester General Office, 23 New Mount Street and are available as before:

Tuesdays 2-5 p.m. Mind & SMA participants
Wednesdays 2-5 p.m. PRIME participants

Rowan is currently negotiating some additional support from Nicola Teece, our trainer extraordinnaire, c/o Manchester Community Information Network during the final stages of the January training support sessions. This will help us to fine-tune the web sites prior to publication.

All who attended and participated in the 15 weeklong Monday training sessions are eligible for accreditation of that training. There are 2 types of qualification:

• NVQ in Telematics level 1 - This will accredit the training in the use of email software, the Internet and Video-conferencing.
• Foundation Accreditation in Science and Technology (Multimedia level 4) - This will accredit the multimedia elements of the course such as image and sound manipulation, and their subsequent incorporation into an interactive multimedia web site.

In order to receive accreditation of prior learning it is necessary to compile and submit a portfolio documenting what you have learned. The portfolios must follow a standard layout, which Rowan has designed. Anyone who wishes to compile the 2 portfolios in a supported environment should come to the training support sessions mentioned above. Rowan would like to have the NVQ in Telematics portfolios compiled before the end of January and the FAST portfolios compiled before the end of February. Please let Rowan know as soon as possible if for any reason you think that you will not be able to do this as Rowan needs to submit the portfolios together as one group. The portfolios will be returned to participants when accreditation is granted and will provide you with a personal record of the ‘training voyage’ which you have undertaken.

All the participants involved in the training are invited to get together for a Steering Group meeting on: Wednesday 16^th December at 1.45 p.m. at the Mind in Manchester General Office, 23 New Mount Street

Venue: Mind in Manchester Ltd.
Attendees: Pam, David, Alan, Ron, Tony, and Rowan.
Apologies: Musa, Jerry, Peter, Jenni, and Dave.

Evaluation of the Website Design Course

Rowan will produce an evaluation-form and warmly invited any written, more personal comments. It was decided that a further meeting should be held in the early New Year for discussion of course-evaluation.

While some of the Group expressed dissatisfaction about the structure of the course - the bewildering variety of packages and hardware - others declared themselves delighted at such an introduction to many different advanced packages.

General comments were exchanged on the varying levels of motivation and enthusiasm within the Group. It was felt that the course did not inspire enthusiasm among those who lacked initially a very keen creative interest in graphics. Moreover, affable as were the tutors, their teaching methods left much to be desired, especially in the provision of clear notes to help give the students confidence.

Most of the Group considered that the Tuesday and Wednesday supplementary sessions were of more value than the days of formal training.

On the question of pressure, Rowan acknowledged his possible shortcomings in urging his own high standards of accomplishment. The production of a website, he explained, had been necessary as a focus for the curriculum, arduous though it was likely to prove.

Anthony raised the matter of mental health: that all in the Group had particular difficulties and sensitivities for which rather more emotional support ought to have been provided. Rowan accepted this, speaking of his wish to make computing available to all sections of the community; he admitted he had underestimated the amount of support work that would be required.

The close bonding among the Group had been important, all agreed; and better-defined personal expectations (specific goals) would have made the learning easier.

However, this was a pilot project, from the inevitable mistakes of which a great deal could be, and had been, learned. Interest was expressed in continuing website design as an activity, with the production of clear simple notes on how to use a wide range of software applications. A web-design support group would be formed, accessible to all from MIND, S.M.A., PRIME and perhaps similar organisations.

Rowan explained the academic level of the NVQ Telematics and FAST Multimedia qualifications. Some of the Group expressed reservations about their suitability as candidates, their level of knowledge, etc. Rowan sought to reassure them. It was decided that the first few training support sessions in January would be utilised to create and collate the accreditation portfolios. The next training sessions in the MIND office are to be on 5^th and 6^th January 1999.

The Group discussed employing Nicola Teece and possibly Tom Wright as consultants or teaching assistants during the consolidation of learning, from the end of January. All approved of the idea, but on condition that the Group should define the teaching/assistance agenda. All present expressed great satisfaction with this afternoon’s meeting.

Alan. 17/12/98

• to bring together information providers across sectors
• to reduce duplication•to identify gaps in information provision
• to generate support for a co-ordinated strategy to deliver an electronic public information system of benefit to the citizens of Manchester.

MCIN became a Limited Company in 1995, a Registered Charity in 1996 and now has a clear role in facilitating public access to community information utilising new technology. Through action research projects MCIN are delivering a live service, enabling the public to test-drive online technology and are working towards a future information service which is defined by the public.

A broad working definition of public/community information has been adopted to include information on services provided by the City Council, voluntary and consumer organisations, Health Trusts, Benefits Agencies, GPs, bus companies, information on employment, training, educational opportunities, leisure, cultural activities and resources for local groups and businesses.

• MCIN has developed strong, effective, cross-sector partnerships with Manchester City Council, Poptel/HOST (Internet Providers), the Manchester Metropolitan University and KPMG (accountancy/management consultancy) and with voluntary sector groups such as MIND, the Citizens Advice Bureaux, Voluntary Action Manchester, the Worker's Educational Association and East Manchester Community Forum.
• MCIN has acquired Single Regeneration Budget and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) monies via Manchester City Council/North Manchester Regeneration Ltd to employ a Project Manager and to run a pilot project in North Manchester. Acquired further support through the Manchester Telematics and Teleworking Partnership to employ a Technical Assistant. In 1998, acquired funding from the NLCB to appoint three new members of staff to work on the VISD project.
• MCIN has also established a most varied and comprehensive community information Web-site providing a single point of access to over one-hundred web sites ranging from the City Council's Jobs Update and A-Z of Services, contacts for bus and train information, and details of voluntary/community groups. The site also offers interactive Email links back to information providers who manage their own web-sites or are supported by MCIN to publish online.

MCIN hopes to expand the Service and Increase Access Points - there is ample scope to develop MCIN's work in all areas and to ensure the disadvantaged are not left behind in the information society. Numerous requests have been received from organisations wishing to publish information online and others expressing interest in becoming a base for a public information system. MCIN will be working to secure further sponsorship and funding to develop these opportunities and ultimately to provide an appropriate and accessible service for people in Manchester.

The TARDIS (Targeted Delivery of Information and Services) project was set up to provide access for the disadvantaged to online information through the use of multimedia kiosks. By placing these kiosks where the underprivileged counld get easy access, by using intelligent agent software to target information to users, and by providing the service at no cost, the project explored how to tackle the problem of an "electronic underclass".

By providing these services the project aimed to establish if disadvantaged people can use IT to redress their disadvantage and to find out what sort of information people want to access. The project also aimed to establish if services can be provided in a personalised fashion by automatically matching users with information needs and to establish if people would respond positively to this feature.

At the end of the twelve month project, the kiosks, and all hardware & software, were gifted by the consortium to MCIN. We have continued to maintain the kiosks, and have completely re-developed the kiosk software.  

*Please note opening hours may be subject to variation. All details are believed correct as of April 1998.

• Entry Level (Start Up)(Very basic introduction and related to individual progress). The achievement of a limited range of basic skills knowledge and understanding in highly structured and self-referenced contexts which permit the identification of progression from the learner's point of entry to the learning process.

• Level 1 (Foundation)(Pre GCSR, RSA1, NVQ1 approximately). The achievement of a foundation of competence, knowledge and understanding in a limited range of predictable and structured contexts that permits progression to further levels of achievement.

• Level 2 (Stage A)(GCSE, NVQ2 approximately). The achievement of a broader range of competencies, knowledge and understanding which demonstrate the extension of previous abilities in less predictable and structured contexts and prepare the learner to progress to more complex, autonomous and critical achievements