Background: Paul Steele
My name is Paul Steele and I am one of the many people living on Incapacity Benefits who are desperately seeking means and methods of re-entering full time employment.

In 1999 I obtained my first computer with a view of seeking a return to employment. Later that year I launched the first Edinburgh International Internet Festival – a non-commercial online event aiming to celebrate the work of the international online creative community. Despite the international success of the festival with over 3000 websites, artists, galleries, theatre companies and musicians from over 55 nations having participated – I have to date been refused all requests for support and funding from all official agencies including the Scottish Arts Council and the Lottery Fund (See: FAQ - Q4).

Working within the conditions laid down for those on incapacity benefits I have not been able to include any commercial or fund raising elements within the event nor seek any form of financial sponsorship. This has had not only a major impact on maximising the full potential of the event - but has also meant that to date I have had to cover the costs of Scotland's largest online arts event out of my own disability benefits.

Since 2002 I have been a volunteer and then part time worker on the Permitted Work Scheme (for those on incapacity benefits) with Age Concern Edinburgh Information Technology (ACE IT)  - which is widely recognised as one of Scotland's leading agencies providing computer training for those aged over 50+. Working closely with the charity’s management we have together found a number of methods to enable me to work around my health problems and over the last few years I have been deeply involved with the project’s multi award winning online community development programmes. My own work with the project has been recognised by the awarding of a rare 'Gold' national volunteering award from Age Concern.

Creative & Community Webfolio
The suggested content for the UC-Edinburgh website is based upon skills and experience I have gained whilst working as volunteer creative and web designer on a number of artistic and community web development projects including...

Scotfestival - Edinburgh International Internet Festival (1999 - 2008)
Online: www.scotfestival.com

Age Concern Edinburgh (ACE IT)
Online: www.aceit.org.uk

Edinburgh Silver Surfers
Online: www.edinburghsilversurfers.co.uk

The Moose In The Hoose Project
Online: www.aceit.org.uk/moose

City Centre Community Learning Plan - Older People's Action Group
Online: www.aceit.org.uk/clp.htm  

Digital Inclusion Network (Age Concern & BT)
Online: www.aceit.org.uk/network 

Silver Surfers Festival 2006 - People's War Group
Online: www.aceit.org.uk/festival.htm

Have Your Say (Online Survey for Gorgie Dalry Older People's Forum)
Online: www.edinburghsilversurfers.co.uk/survey.htm 

Springwell Golden Voices Community Choir
Online: www.scotfestival.com/springwellgoldenvoices 

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