A CENTRE in West Devon which works to rehabilitate young male offenders will unlock the world wide web thanks to a grant which aims to help community groups bridge the digital divide. C-FAR, based at Highampton, will use the BT Community Connections Award to produce a website to promote the organisation?s services to a wider audience. Being connected to the internet will also enable C-FAR to link up with other partner groups and statutory bodies to share resources. C-FAR?s clients will be given the opportunity to learn ICT skills and will be encouraged to use the PC as a form of creative expression. C-FAR ? Centre For Adolescent Rehabilitation ? works with young male ex-offenders, to rehabilitate them in a practical, friendly and empowering environment. An alternative to prison, C-FAR provides a 12-month ?Life Change? programme of rehabilitation, beginning with an eleven-week residential phase. During this period, ex-offenders improve basic skills such as literacy and numeracy. This is followed by support and mentoring in the community, where ex-offenders are provided with housing, further education, vocational training and employment. The group is one of a total of 37 across the South West to receive internet-ready PCs through the second round of the BT Community Connections award scheme. The scheme awards an NEC internet-ready PC and Microsoft software package worth more than £1,300 to voluntary and community organisations to provide internet access for the benefit of their local communities.
