IT charity to reopen after funding U-turn

WH 010814 Guildbourne IT Workshop closing due to lack of funding. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-140108-151739001

The Guildbourne IT Workshop, in the Guildbourne Centre, put its equipment into storage after it was told it would no longer receive financial backing.

But in a remarkable change of heart, manager Andy Sheppard was told the charity would in fact be funded after all.

He said: “We would like to thank everybody who has helped us in the past and the landlord of the Guildbourne Centre for supporting us with funding.

“The funding has been restored as of Monday. We will be back open on August 19.

“I had a call from the landlord who said he would continue to fund us.”

Mr Sheppard, seeking long-term security, is working on a National Lottery grant application, with help from Worthing Council for Voluntary Service.

In the charity’s three years, it has helped an estimated 5,000 people with their computer queries free of charge.

But running it costs tens of thousands of pounds each year.

Mr Sheppard said: “When someone comes in and you can help them do something they haven’t been able to do, whether it’s opening a picture or contacting a family member on Skype, it’s really rewarding.”