A LONG-STANDING computer hub in Blackbird Leys is feeling the pinch and is desperately in need of new sources of funding.

The Blackbird Leys Information Technology Zone, known as BLITZ, is based in the community centre and helps scores of people a year brush up on their digital skills.

Now regular staff are beginning to worry. Although the hub only costs £16,000 a year to run, grant money is beginning to drying up and new backers are few and far between.

Director Nick Tills, 53, said: “We have put in a few bids but haven’t been successful.

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“The quantity of grant applications coming from Blackbird Leys is quite high and funders are looking to target other areas now because Blackbird Leys has received a lot in recent years.

“We need it for the tutors’ costs and to pay our bills, and we desperately need a couple of new computers. None of us are salaried, but we don’t want to work for free.

“At the moment we are just on a wing and a prayer. It’s a bit of a hand-to-mouth existence.”

He said the need for extra funding at BLITZ has been compounded by a “significant” rise in demand.

Over the whole of last year the hub had 108 students but 48 have signed up so far in 2016, taking free courses in everything from computer basics to the ITQ Level 3, a high-level qualification in ICT.

Mr Tills said: “BLITZ has been going for about 12 years and the numbers are up at the moment, but if we don’t have the money we will have to stop teaching.

“We have had people come in and do three courses, which takes them from virtually nothing to quite a high standard of computer literacy.

“Obviously they gain new skills and some also gain increased confidence and make new friends.

“About 30 per cent of our users are ‘silver surfers’. We have had people in their eighties coming in and getting their brains back into gear.”

He added that with extra funding BLITZ could look into adding more “niche” courses such as training in Photoshop and publishing software InDesign.

Blackbird Leys Parish Council decided last week to approve a grant of £1,645 for BLITZ, which will go towards general running costs. More is still needed.

Parish council chairman Gordon Roper voiced his support for the group, saying: “BLITZ has changed hands a few times.

“They have got to pay rent, but if they have to charge users a higher fee it will pack up.

“They do a good job on the estate and it helps the residents.”

  • For more information on the computer hub or to enrol on a course call 01865 80645.