AGE Concern's pioneering 'one-stop shop' in Okehampton has been given a cash boost from Dartmoor's National Park Authority.
The Dartmoor National Park Authority's Sustainable Development Fund has given £1,990 to the organisation to run a pilot scheme for a year.
And after a year of planning and refurbishments, the new one-stop shop in Crediton Road is now open for anyone in the community to drop in. It has been specially designed around the needs of people, rather than just providing computers or services.
It is especially hoped that people living on, and around, Dartmoor will be able to come to the centre for information and advice.
Age Concern are now hoping to copy the idea in smaller towns and villages across Dartmoor and West Devon.
Okehampton Age Concern chief officer Barrie Duke said: 'We find that many people want to ask for information and advice in an informal and comfortable setting. They want to experiment with computers and learn at their own pace without having to sign up for expensive computer courses.
'Here they can learn to reproduce an old photo up to A3 in size. We can help others to understand and complete the complex forms which they are expected to wrestle with these days.'
Mr Duke added that the 'one stop shop' was 'fast becoming a feature' in market country towns.
'It can work with so many people who want to both keep control of their lives and help to determine the future of their communities,' he said.
The centre is Broadband-linked, so that centre visitors can get access to a range of information and can learn to manage their bank accounts on-line or keep in touch with their relatives and friends by e-mail.
Age Concern Okehampton and Torridge's website at http://www.acot.ik.com">www.acot.ik.com has an inquiry page for people to make requests for help and information, without even leaving their homes.
Another aspect of the centre's role will be to help individuals and community groups learn to apply for grants and find help running community projects.
Free web sites with self design instructions are also available for charitable and community groups. There are facilities for group training sessions and for people's forums, interest groups and committee meetings. All visitors will be able to take refreshments and relax in the comfortable chairs.
Another special service offered by Age Concern at the centre will be help on buying and selling online, an exciting experience which can help people living in isolated rural areas to save on the costs of travel for shopping.