Vital Regeneration, is today celebrating being chosen by Microsoft to receive one of only three ‘Britain Works’ grants awarded to charities in England and Wales this year.  This grant promotes innovation, digital learning and employment opportunities within socially excluded communities.  It will help Vital Regeneration fulfil its ambition to change the lives of 3,000 people in London over the next three years.

Matt Lambert, Director of Corporate Affairs, Microsoft UK, said:
 
“I cannot stress this enough.  If you haven’t got up to date IT skills, then more often than not, you will struggle to get past the first stage in the interview process.  Through our ‘Britain Works’ campaign we’re trying to get 500,000 people into real jobs over three years.  Vital Regeneration share our vision of helping people find new opportunities and this grant will help them deliver that on the ground in London.”
 
Vital Regeneration’s digital learning centre at The Greenside Community Centre, Westminster connects thousands of local people with technology.  Microsoft’s grant, which includes financial support as well as a significant donation of its software, will enable Vital Regeneration to undertake a complete makeover of this learning centre to provide state-of-the art IT facilities to the local community. 
 
Angela McConville, Vital Regeneration’s Chief Executive said:
 
“We are proud to have been awarded this grant and are delighted to work with Microsoft to realise their commitment to investing in the community.  Today, almost 77% of all jobs require some form of IT skills.  However, for many of our beneficiaries, an office environment can be quite intimidating.  Vital Regeneration is looking forward to working in partnership with Microsoft to bridge this divide by enhancing people’s confidence in a number of ways including the development of IT skills”. 
 
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For further information please contact:
Vital Regeneration: E: mrajesh@cwh.org.uk T: 0207 193 8761
Microsoft: E: ukprteam@microsoft.com
T: 08545 602 5628