Making IT affordable for charities

James Winstanley

A young Masterton man has launched an initiative that offers charities expert IT support for only $1 a week.

James Winstanley, 20, developed Project Synergy to help non-profit organisations utilise their IT devices "in the best and most productive way possible", at an affordable cost.

"A lot of charities are operating on out-dated computers and limited resources."

The proceeds raised through Project Synergy will be donated back to charities that have applied for the funding.

"We will be giving back to the community while providing a service."

Mr Winstanley said it had been hard to publicise Project Synergy because people thought his email promoting IT services for $1 per week was spam mail or a scam. "But people who have given me a chance to explain it all, have been really impressed."

He is launching the project through his own charity organisation, Strong Links, which offers support to people with autism and depression in the workforce.

Strong Links was started this year when Mr Winstanley "had trouble dealing with autism and depression" and found a lack of "professional support in New Zealand for adults".

He says workplaces do not have a great support base for people with autism and he is developing a programme with psychology students to take into businesses.

The workshops will teach how best to relate to autistic employees and offer conflict resolution situations relevant to people with autism.

Mr Winstanley, who is doing an honours degree and working part-time in addition to his charity work, says a lot of autistic people work in the IT sector because it suits their skill sets.

Project Synergy already has 10 volunteer IT support workers and Mr Winstanley is in the process of interviewing others interested in putting their IT skills to a good cause.