Valence Library

Valence Library is a UK online centre based in Dagenham. The library was designated as the borough’s Older People’s Zone in 2011, and has become the focus of older people’s activities for the whole of the borough.

With many of the borough’s population housebound, a Community Outreach grant from Nominet Trust and UK online centres has led to an innovative new project to reach isolated residents.

Dawn Riches, Project Manager at Valence Library says:

“With the grant money we’ve received, we have been able to set up a bussing service which meant we were able to bring home restricted residents who struggle to get out to us into the library. It meant we could give these people a real opportunity to experience something they would never have had the chance to do before. Many of them have been able to get in touch with family who they haven’t spoken to for years, making a real difference to their lives”

“The project has been a great success so far - and we’re already fully booked for the next few months.

“With the grant money from UK online centres and Nominet Trust, we’re already planning to take the courses out of the library and around Barking and Dagenham, and so we can reach even more people. This project just wouldn’t have been possible without the funding we’ve received, and we and our learners are so grateful for it.”

About the Community Outreach Programme

Last summer we teamed up with UK Online Centres to provide new grant funding for local organisations working in the heart of communities to get more people online.The 'Community Outreach Fund' supported more than 150 innovative outreach projects, helping local community organisations to help people get online in places in the community that they feel comfortable. We have filmed a few of the projects so you can find out about some of the communities that have benefited from this programme.