Eastleigh and District Mind will be celebrating a decade of success with its trailblazing Mind-IT scheme early in the New Year.

Celebrations will be held in the main hall at Eastleigh College on January 3 - and an invitation is going out to all past and present students to join in.

Mind-IT teaches information and communications technology to adults suffering from mental health problems, enabling confidence-building while gaining nationally-recognised qualifications.

The project opened in January 1993 at the Age Concern building in Romsey Road, Eastleigh, with six students and one tutor, Marisa McClelland, who is now general manager of Eastleigh and District Mind.

Within weeks it became clear that extended opening times were needed. Initially, the scheme offered two hours a week for six people.

Despite five break-ins, the scheme continued to grow and now operates from the Eastleigh Community Enterprise Centre at Barton Park where facilities for up to 42 people for 14 hours a week are available.

Students are able to learn anything from basic skills to taking nationally-recognised examinations and 250 students have benefited from the training.

Marisa told the Daily Echo: "We have had some amazing success stories. One student is now running her own jam-making business with her husband and another ex-student is doing a degree in computer science."

Eastleigh MP David Chidgey and his Romsey counterpart Sandra Gidley are due to attend the January celebration.

Mr Chidgey said: "I have nothing but the greatest admiration for the stubborn perseverance of the team and the enthusiastic dedication of the students."

Students who would like to join the January 3 celebrations at Eastleigh College are asked to contact the Mind-IT team on 023 8061 1475.