A PC workstation was installed at each of the participating mental health organisations before the training programme began. With such a diverse range of software applications to learn about, it would be necessary for trainees to have access to a PC with the appropriate software installed. Trainees were encouraged to practice what they would learn during the training programme back at the mental health organisation, which they represented. The pilot stage training programme began in August 1998 and took place over a fifteen-week period with participants required to attend one full day per week at a variety of training venues across the City of Manchester. [See section (9) Evaluation, (a) and (b) for an analysis of the participant evaluation of the specific training sessions and the project in general].

The five training sections were as follows:

Section 1: Email, Internet & Video-conferencing
Tutor: Tish Roberts
Tutor’s assistant: Rowan Purdy
Venue: The Manchester Technology Management Centre at Rutherford House
Dates: Monday August 3rd and Monday August 10th 10.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.

Section 2: Paint Shop Pro and FrontPage Express
Tutor: Nicola Teece
Tutor’s assistant: Rowan Purdy
Venue: Chorlton Workshop Electronic Village Hall
Dates: Monday August 17th, Monday August 24th and Monday September 7th 10.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.

Section 3: Adobe PhotoShop
Tutor: John Frost
Tutor’s assistant: Rowan Purdy
Venue: The Manchester Multi-media Centre at the Manchester Metropolitan University
Dates: Monday September 21st and Monday September 28th 10.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.

Section 4: Macromedia Flash
Tutor: John Frost
Tutor’s assistant: Rowan Purdy
Venue: The Manchester Multi-media Centre at the Manchester Metropolitan University
Dates: Monday October 5th and Monday October 12th 10.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.

Section 5: Macromedia Director
Tutor: Nicola Teece
Tutor’s assistant: Rowan Purdy
Venue: The Manchester Multi-media Centre at the Manchester Metropolitan University