New Communities @One Website Launched

I've not written on my blog for a little while as I've now moved over to writing on our Broker Blog on our new sparkly website - www.communitiesatone.org - its a really exciting move for the project and aimed at everyone interested in Digital Inclusion and the work that is going on - not just in Wales but around the World - lets think BIG!!! You are able to sign up, pose questions, get advice and find out about all the projects funded around Wales. Take a look and get involved as much as you like. Matty

Children Exploitation & Online Protection Centre

Children Exploitation & Online Protection Centre is a Central Government resource/website which is set up to assist and support keeping our children safe online.

FREE Broadband Options

I've just been looking into the various options for Broadband personally and it became really confusing but also surprisingly cheap if you have another services such as a contract mobile, satellite TV or switch phone supplier as some offer Broadband free of charge. I think its good to inform people of these options as many people may qualify for FREE broadband but they may not be aware about it so its good to ask people to check - why miss out!

Become a BBC Learning Partners

Has your group/organisation thought about becoming a BBC Learning Partner. It will open up access to BBC and other publications and updates around learning and the internet. I've just taken a look at it now and its great!!! It even has a Welsh focused education site which includes localised information and learning Welsh modules as well as external sites of learning :)

Carmarthenshire's Mobile Phone Blogging Project

Just wanted to bring your attention an interesting project that is being run in Carmarthenshire, which Marc Davies (Communities @One broker in that area) has passed on details about. A partnership project of Communities First wards have been brought together to establish a mobile phone video blogging site. Take a look its a great idea!

Calendar of Religious Festivals - 2007

As a Diversity Champion at the Wales Co-operative Centre I've recently been learning about all aspects of the topic. As part of this I've found a calendar of religious festivals in 2007 on the BBC website. It's great for everyone to understand what is being celebrating throughout the year in our country. The section of the BBC website contains a host of information and links on religion and ethics.

BBC Click

BBC Click is a fantastic resource for exactly what our programme is trying to do. It includes Buyers guides on all sorts of digital equipment (well in fact on checking just 5 at the moment) but these include cameras and mobile phones. There's loads of archived stories around technology and a great article about the Digital Divide and how Africa are looking to overcome it. Essential reading for us technology "pioneers" :)

September Results are Out :)

Our September Grants Panel brought more good news for our areas applying projects.

South Wales Miners Museum based in the Afan Country Park, Port Talbot continued their excellence success rate of funding application by being approved for an exciting project. Using technology to re-produce and store archived photographs, produce a calender and images for re-selling for sustainability and providing exciting camera tours for the many visitors to the soon to be new museum.

West Glamorgan Forum was also approved to provide informal, flexible training to people with disabilities and those home-based in areas throughout Neath Port Talbot. Complementing the People First application which has already been approved this project will fill a definite gap in provision and bring much excitement to many people.