Get On Line at Home
To
help people overcome the cost barrier to getting online cheaper PC and
broadband packages have been made available for people on benefits.
GetOnline@Home
is a Microsoft-backed scheme offering refurbished PCs at a lower cost
for those who may not be able to purchase the hardware to access
the internet without financial help. Under the scheme, the PCs are
available for £99 if you’re on qualifying benefits (£149 for anyone) as
well as offers on laptops (£169 for people accessing qualifying benefits
and £199 for anyone else). This includes a range
of software programmes already installed. Also TalkTalk have made
available reduced broadband packages in addition to the hardware
offer.
Info on the scheme contact: www.getonlineathome.org or phone 03719 100 100
Individuals clubs,
businesses, schools and not for profit organisations, etc, in rural
areas that need access to information and services, are able to purchase
fully functioning ex-government computers for as little
as £130. The computers are being made available through the Arthur Rank
Centre. This is a collaborative unit supported by the National Churches,
the Royal Agricultural Society of England and the Rank Foundation. For
organisations that need more than one computer;
e.g. for a Drop-in centre, School etc. the prices are even lower.
Applications can be made at any time.
Funding is available to
organisations with innovative IT related project ideas that can make a
positive difference to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups - in the UK,
developing countries and around the world.
The funding is available through the Nominet Trust. The aim of the Trust
is to fund innovative Internet projects that make a positive difference
to the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people, primarily in terms
of education, safety and inclusion. The
Trust is particularly interested in funding projects that can be scaled
up and replicated. There is no minimum grant application and
applications for over £100,000 require an interview. Organisations
wishing to apply need initially to complete and online eligibility
questionnaire. Those organisations deemed successful will be provided
with a link to a more detailed application form. Previously projects
supported through the Trust include; Pottery Primary School, Belper,
which received funding towards the costs of printed
material to raise awareness to parents, children and the community of
internet risks and safety measures; and Age UK, a new charity dedicated
to improving the lives of older people which received funding from the
Trust to promote digital inclusion of older
people in nursing homes. The next closing date for submitting initial
Advisory Eligibility Forms is the 1st August 2012.Stage 2 applications
to be submitted by the 5th September 2012.
Update 06/04/2012
Please see link below for latest Herefordshire broadband update
April Update
Update - 28/02/2012
Please see latest update from Herefordshire Council regarding progress in rural broadband:
Note - please do fill in business questionnaire if applicable - the more interest that can be demonstrated in our community the more likely we are to benefit from funding etc.
Please click on this link to see Herefordshire Update
Update - 23/01/2012
With analysis of the questionnaires underway I can tell you that as a % of households Lingen has done quite well, however majority of households have still not responded. Please do spare a few seconds to answer a few simple questions. Follow the link above.
Hopefully those of you who live in Herefordshire will have all filled in the Survey sent out by Herefordshire CC to ascertain and more importantly demonstrate the demand for faster broadband for Herefordshire. This was sent to all addresses in Herefordshire several weeks ago (you might have mistaken it for junk mail!) - this needs to be filled in regardless of how you currently access the internet or who your supplier is as ultimately everyone will benefit from improved infrastructure however far up the line this occurs.
Please go to - www.fastbroadband4herefordshire.org.uk can be filled in on paper if you prefer. Please email me and I will send you a copy (lingenbb@gmail.com), or there are copies at Lingen Village Hall.
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