FOR adults with learning disabilities, like Robin Stant, the chance to learn new skills and get out of his house is a lifeline.

Mr Stant takes part in weekly IT sessions using a computer to make music.

The Opportunities Through Technology project has been given £20,000 to expand its services.

The money has been used to buy specialist computer equipment for a mobile classroom that visits care homes and activity centres in Colchester, Tendring, Chelmsford and Brentwood.

The classes help people shop online, download music, create greetings cards or play games.

Others learn to write CVs to help them find work, or practice basic skills like e-mailing.

Mr Stant, of Blackberry Road, Colchester, is one of six people who attend weekly sessions at Woodlands activity centre in Recreation Road, Colchester.

He said: “I like learning the music a lot. That is my favourite thing to do.

“I have nothing to do at home so this is exciting.

“I want a lot more people to come here.”

A varied cross section of people attend, each with their own physical and emotional needs.

This is where the scheme excels, delivering technology designed to make computing easy and unrestricted.

Among the gadgets provided are keyboards with giant letters, rollerball mouse controls and speech recognition software.

Trainer Sylvia Jeffcock said it is up to users what they learn.

She said: “This is a very creative group. Our job is to find a way to make it possible for them to express themselves.

“It’s a social thing and it is about independence.”

The mobile classroom is the product of a three-way collaboration between the Colchester Catalyst charity, Opportunities Through Technology and Essex Cares.

Catalyst, a fund giving organisations that support community causes, put up a £20,000 grant to help buy the computers.

Rodney Appleyard, co-ordinator, said: “You can see the guys in the canteen before the session getting excited.

“This is why we wanted to get involved, to enhance their well- being.”

Essex Cares, a company set up by Essex County Council to support adults to be independent, provides the centres and users.

Gary Laybourn, progression worker, said: “We part-subsidise the customers to be here.

“It is just great to see it in action.”