What is the Community Access Points (CAPs) project?
As part of the Herefordshire In Touch (HIT) programme, funding
was secured for a series of Community Access Points (CAPs) in the
County. The purpose of the CAP project is to provide accessible,
secure and sustainable broadband facilities within rural
communities. In addition to the broadband connection, local
communities were provided with a package of IT equipment and
software designed to meet their needs and they were supported in
establishing a local steering group to co-ordinate the activity of
the CAP.
The anticipated benefits of the project are social, economic and
environmental. Those who find it most difficult to access new
technologies will be helped; community cohesion will be enhanced
with the introduction of a new community facility attractive to all
ages and available to local groups; economic activity will be
supported through access to new training facilities and jobs;
people will be able to access information and services on line and
so reduce the need to travel.
Funding for the programme was provided by Advantage West
Midlands (AWM); the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) (via the
Herefordshire in Touch programme); GOWM through the Objective 2
programme, and latterly Herefordshire Access to Services
Partnership (HASP).
The CAPs project partnership
Although, the Community Access Points project is a Herefordshire Council run initiative, we are delighted to be helped in this project by our partner organisations.
Herefordshire Council views this project very much as a joint effort and is aware of how important and vital its partners are in making this project a success.