The sound of clicking keyboards is interrupted by another burst of laughter and accompanied by the inviting smell of freshly made coffee. This is the ambience of Pembroke's Foundry House on Wednesday mornings.

This is when The PembTech group provide a friendly, informal opportunity for people to learn IT skills from one another. People choose what they would like to learn so there is no set programme. It is suitable for all levels of experience from complete beginner to expert. The group includes regulars and also welcomes people coming for one off help. A new visitor might ask 'How do I use this laptop that my son gave me?' There is no set differentiation between volunteers and learners. Anybody at the group might help another person by offering their skills and knowledge in this unstructured setting.

Experienced PembTech regulars also maintain a computer which is available at Foundry House for the public to book for use. It offers internet access.

Experienced PembTech regulars have become familiar with Pembroke 21C Community Association IT facilities through their use of Foundry House and help maintain the equipment. Money for IT is very tight.

Volunteer coordinator, David Wall expresses his appreciation for what PembTech achieve with limited resources.

"I suspect they might still find a way to fix my computer with little more than a toilet roll and sticky backed plastic."

The learning opportunities provided is also enhancing the skills of Pembroke IT users which increases the number of people capable of helping at the community centre. The Wednesday morning sessions have also been used by office volunteers to develop their IT skills.

To visit PembTech, just turn up at Foundry House on a Wednesday morning from 10 am or call Pierce on 07980591907 or email [email protected]">[email protected]