Pictured: (l-r) Dawn Jevons - Stroke Association, John Jones - stroke survivor, and Fred Shaw, Corporate Social Responsibility Mgr from Service Birmingham

A team of Birmingham IT workers helped mark World Stroke Day on October 29 by helping stroke survivors to develop their computer skills.

The session, organised with The Stroke Association at the Anne Marie Howes centre in Sheldon, Birmingham was the first of a number of planned training events to help stroke survivors rediscover valuable ICT skills such as surfing the net.

Service Birmingham is the joint venture between Birmingham City Council and outsourcing firm Capita, and runs the council's information and communications technology services. It installed the computers as part of the centre's recent improvements.

The volunteers are part of a ground-breaking volunteering scheme which encourages staff from Service Birmingham to get actively involved in their local communities. Staff are given up to 20 hours a year of time-off to work for a partner organisation or charity of their choosing.

The Stroke Association's Communication Support Coordinator Dawn Jevons said: "This is our first session and seeing the fantastic location and computers I'm convinced we will definitely be doing it again. So often, stroke survivors have to re-learn vital skills and these sessions will provide much needed help."

Service Birmingham's chief executive, Stewart Wren said: "We're an IT and technology business so it's fitting that we share our knowledge and help in this way. I'm proud of what our staff put back to communities in Birmingham and delighted that we can help stroke survivors regain and develop their skills."