The name HaKIT was created by a local resident and stands for Hangleton and Knoll Information Technology. It was set up in 1999 and is part of the Hangleton and Knoll Project which was successful in securing government regeneration money. This was used to open up a local job centre called Opportunities.

Opportunities was an informal advice and guidance service based in a shop which local people could use to find out about job vacancies, training and receive help in applying for jobs (this included all aspects of job applications from writing CV's to interview techniques).

Following feedback from local residents who were concerned about their lack of computer skills, a mobile "Computer Bus" from the Brinsbury College was invited along to the Grenadier to provide IT training. Apparent parking difficulties of the bus in the car park did not deter local residents and the sessions were well attended.

From this session keen residents went on to the Hangleton Library for further training and reached RSA Level 3 in Computing. Some local residents were enthusiastic to continue using computers and an independent community group, the Hangleton and Knoll Computer Club, was formed.

Due to the continued demand for local computer training, the Hangleton & Knoll Project was successfully chosen to set up a Learning Access Centre, under the 1999 Policy Action Team initiative. The Hangleton & Knoll Project was one of only five pilot projects in the whole country.

With the support of The Department of Trade and Industry and The Department of Employment & Education four computers were purchased and installed at Opportunities (previously located where the Sun Trap salon is now, at the Grenadier). The training skills were purchased from trainers and local organisations such as SCIP (Sussex Computer Internet Project) to deliver further training to the local community.

By 2002, there had been approximately 65 local residents trained each year and the first Computer Literacy and Information Technology (CLAIT) certificates were presented at Opportunities. Ongoing community consultations identified that there was a need for more training facilities and it was no longer possible to stay in the shop front premises at the Grenadier.

By 2003, HaKIT expanded into two local community centres (St. Richard's and Hangleton) and were part of a national network of UK Online centres which aimed at increasing access to computers and information about e-government services. In total, 12 computers were purchased and made available for local residents and groups to access and receive training. This was funded by The New Opportunities Fund, part of the Department for Education and Skills. By the end of 2003, 600 visits in total had been made to both of the centres.

In 2006, due to regular use and feedback from learners about the lack of space at the Hangleton Community Centre room, the HaKIT project was granted permission from the Council to extend the small training rooms into a larger, more comfortable training environment with 8 state of the art computers and flat screens. This was supported and funded by the University for Industry and Brighton & Hove Capital Grants.

The HaKIT project now regularly supports and trains approximately 132 local residents a year and has over 1440 visits a year by local people. The Hangleton & Knoll Computer Club are now among the regular tutors delivering computer training in the computer rooms. Visit our courses page for the latest info.

Following a community consultation led by Brighton and Hove City Council, supported by community volunteers, local people were asked what was their highest need around accessing training, learning and work. The answer was where to find the information, hence in 2009, as part of a nationwide Adult Advancement and Careers Service a pilot project started. This created the West Area Hub in Hangleton & Knoll and a team of five workers started their NVQ 4 in Information Advice and Guidance.

The HaKIT drop-in extended to offering 3 drop-ins a week and a further 6 drop-in times when there is a friendly person available to meet with residents in local community venues to give information, advice or guidance on a range of training, learning, work and other services including getting help with benefits, debt, health and housing advice.

This year HaKIT has worked closely with the Hangleton & Knoll Multi-Cultural Women's Group and developed the delivery of IT for ESOL learners. HaKIT tutors, Community Development workers and IAG workers worked together with local multi-cultural women to plan a highly successful Multi-Cultural Festival Event in September 2010.