~ Learning Links ~ Learning - Local The East Sussex Adult Learner Forum www.learnerforum.net www.egroups.co.uk/group/learnerforum The East Sussex Learner Forum is aimed towards keeping learners informed about learning opportunities. It is also a space for learners to share their experiences and provide feedback to the local Lifelong Learning Partnership on what they want to learn and what they need to make learning accessible. It includes information on Individual Learning Accounts and a list of related links. Join the online community for the Learner Forum at www.egroups.co.uk/group/learnerforum. Community Education Centres in East Sussex www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk/edu/commed/centres.htm A list of names and addresses of all local learning providers that work in partnership with East Sussex County Council. All community colleges in East Sussex are included: Beacon Community College, Ringmer Community College, Claverham Community College, Robertsbridge Community College, Denton Island Training and Business Centre, Rye Adult Education Centre, Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology, Seaford Head Community College, Hailsham Community College, Thomas Peacocke Community College, Hastings College of Arts and Technology, Uckfield Community College, Heathfield Community College, Uplands Community College, Lewes Tertiary College, Hastings Area Youth Service, and Lewes and Eastbourne Area Youth Service. You can also call the Learning Helpline free on 0800 0284490. East Sussex County Council www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk/edu www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk/edu/adult_ed East Sussex County Councils' home page, Lifelong Learning and Adult Education sites respectively. ~ Universities in East Sussex ~ University of East Sussex www.susx.ac.uk www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/academic/partnership/institutions Use the second address for links to all partner colleges: Chichester College of Arts, Science and Technology, Crawley College, Croydon College, Hastings College of Arts and Technology, Lewes Tertiary College, Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, Roffey Park, Trinity College of Music and West Dean College. University of Brighton www.bton.ac.uk The Children's University of East Sussex www.uplandscc.e-sussex.sch.uk/E S C U/ESCU index.htm www.uplandscc.e-sussex.sch.uk/E%20S%20C%20U/ESCU%20index.htm The Children's University offers a range of courses in a wide variety of subjects (from maths to magic) on Saturday mornings for East Sussex Pupils. If the first link doesn't work, try the second one. University of the Third Age www.u3a.org.uk U3A groups around the United Kingdom are members of the Third Age Trust. Its main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those no longer in full time gainful employment. The Third Age Trust is a member of AIUTA which aims to promote active learning, research and community service among Third Agers everywhere. The Open University www.open.ac.uk OU courses are designed for students studying in their homes or workplaces, in their own time, anywhere in the UK, Ireland, throughout Europe and often further afield. Undergraduate courses are open to all regardless of educational qualifications. The OU takes special responsibility for making higher education accessible to people with disabilities; currently some 7,653 of its students belong to this category. ~ Colleges in East Sussex ~ National Open College Network www.nocn.ac.uk The National Open College Network offers a comprehensive accreditation service through a national framework of local Open College Networks. It offers awards to adult learners, and in particular to those people for whom more traditional qualifications are inaccessible or inappropriate. National Royal College for the Blind www.rncb.ac.uk Includes information, research and an online radio station. Beacon Community College www.beacon.e-sussex.sch.uk Claverham Community College www.claverham.e-sussex.sch.uk Ringmer Community College www.ringmer.e-sussex.sch.uk Robertsbridge Community College www.robertsbridge.e-sussex.co.uk Denton Island Training and Business Centre www.lewescollege.ac.uk/adu/adut3s2/adu t3s2.htm Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology www.ecat.ac.uk Hailsham Community College www.hailshamcc.e-sussex.sch.uk Hastings College of Arts and Technology www.hastings.ac.uk Heathfield Community College www.heathfieldcc.e-sussex.sch.uk Lewes Tertiary College www.lewescollege.ac.uk Plumpton College www.plumpton.ac.uk Seaford Head Community College atschool.eduweb.co.uk/seahorse www.pavilion.co.uk/seaford/education/se afordheadcommunitycollege.htm Uckfield Community College www.ucc.e-sussex.sch.uk Uplands Community College www.uplandscc.e-sussex.sch.uk Learning – National Learn Direct www.learndirect.co.uk LearnDirect is a brand new form of learning that's for everyone. With ambitious plans to bring learning and skills into people's lives, Ufi developed the LearnDirect service to change the face of learning for hundreds of thousands of people, enabling them to: learn for fun or work, gain knowledge and skills to enhance their employability, take control of their future, and for businesses to improve their competitiveness. Learndirect offers high quality learning at a time, place and pace to suit you. You choose what to learn, when to learn - and you can learn as quickly or as slowly as you like. Thousands of people have already benefited. You can also call for free information about learning and careers on freephone 0800 100 900. National Grid For Learning www.ngfl.gov.uk The National Grid for Learning (NGfL) is the national focal point for learning on the Internet. The NDfL portal brings together a vast and growing collection of sites that support education and lifelong learning. Whether you are learning, supporting, teaching or managing, there are resources on the Grid for you. The Basic Skills Agency www.basic-skills.co.uk The Basic Skills Agency is the national agency for basic skills in England and Wales and is supported and funded by the Government. They are an independent organisation and a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. They are a not-for-profit organisation. They define basic skills as; "the ability to read, write, and speak in English (or Welsh), and to use mathematics at a level necessary to function at work and in society in general". They're committed to working with others to make sure that effective opportunities exist to help children, young people and adults strengthen their basic skills. Their website includes news, programmes, research, resources, a magazine, online community, learner zone and an online store. The site also includes a comprehensive and well organised list of useful links. Read.Write.Plus www.dfee.gov.uk/readwriteplus The DfEE Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit is responsible for driving forward implementation of the national strategy and ensuring efforts to improve literacy and numeracy skills at national and local level are consistent and well co-ordinated. Pavilion www.pavpub.com Pavilion is committed to promoting and developing good practice to all those involved in health and social care. Their website includes information on their range of training materials, training courses, conferences and other related services. BBC Education Website www.bbc.co.uk/education Links to fun ways for children to learn as well as adult learning sites. DfEE Adult Learners' Gateway www.dfee.gov.uk/adultlearners Includes links for qualifications, advice and government policy. Campaign for Learning www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk The Campaign for Learning is a national charity, working to create an appetite for learning in individuals that will sustain them throughout their lives. It was created with the sole purpose of championing, as its name suggests, the cause for lifelong learning. The website includes news, resources, research, information and advice, and the National Learning Forum (NLF). The NLF is a broad grouping of over two hundred individuals and organisations, each of which has an interest in developing a culture of lifelong learning in the UK. Second Chances www.dfee.gov.uk/secondchances A national guide to adult education and training opportunities, Second Chances is a DfEE reference source for: * Staff working with agencies or organisations involved in providing information, advice and guidance to adults about education and training opportunities, * Adults wishing to research for themselves information about education and training opportunities. The information covers the whole range of learning opportunities, from basic skills through to postgraduate-level opportunities. It covers information relevant to adults aged 19 and over, whatever their background or employment status, including those considering returning to learning or employment, retired people, adults with special needs, or those who have recently arrived from overseas. Disability and Information Systems in Higher Education www.disinhe.ac.uk This is the national clearing house for Disability and Information Systems in Higher Education, funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee. Contains a definitive list of information and organisations. The National Organisation for Adult Learning (NIACE) www.niace.org.uk Read about news, conferences, publications, campaigns & promotions and how to help influence public policy. The website also contains information services such as: * A Beginners Guide to Lifelong Learning * A series of Briefing Sheets on a variety of Lifelong Learning issues. * A list of Grants which NIACE is administering. * A list of other funding sources available to Organisations. * A number of E-mail Discussion Groups to facilitate debate and the sharing of good practice on various Lifelong Learning topics. Adult Learning Inspectorate www.ali.gov.uk The Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) began work on 1 April 2001, having been set up under the provision of the Learning and Skills Act 2000. The Adult Learning Inspectorate will be responsible for inspecting a wide range of learning activities. This will include: * work-based learning provided to people aged 16 to 18 and all adults, * education in colleges provided to people aged over 19, * learning activities accessed through the University for Industry: LearnDirect, * adult and community learning, * learning in prisons, * training delivered by the Employment Service under the arrangements of the New Deal. Association of Learning Providers www.learning-providers.net The Association of Learning Providers (ALP) is an alliance of national training associations and major UK training providers. Includes contact details for national and local offices. Department for Education & Employment www.dfee.gov.uk Includes news, publications, consultations, speeches, statistics and useful links. Lifelong Learning Partnership www.lifelonglearning.co.uk The DfEE website for the encouragement, promotion and development of lifelong learning. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) www.qca.org.uk The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is a guardian of standards in education and training. They work with others to maintain and develop the school curriculum and associated assessments, and to accredit and monitor qualifications in schools, colleges and at work. The website includes information on national vocational qualifications (NVQ's), curriculum and assessment, research and statistics, news and vacancies, publications and distributions, along with help guidance and a comprehensive list of useful links. Or, visit www.accac.org.uk for Wales or www.ccea.org.uk for Northern Ireland. Qualifications www.dfee.gov.uk/qualifications DfEE's Qualifications Website offers a range of information for parents, teachers, pupils, lecturers, students, employers and anyone with an interest in qualifications. This site also has subsections about work related learning projects, about the national qualifications framework and about the proposal for a 'graduation' certificate (this subsection also covers ways in which qualifications can promote social inclusion). National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) www.dfee.gov.uk/nvq This DfEE website is designed to give a background to NVQs - why they exist and how they can help individuals and key players in the employment, training and qualifications world. It includes links to relevant websites. The Learning+Skills Council www.lsc.gov.uk From April 2001 the Learning and Skills Council took on the functions of the Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) network and the funding responsibilities of the Further Education Funding Council. The website includes news, the corporate plan, the strategic framework to 2004, vacancies and a list of related links. National Training Organisations www.dfee.gov.uk/nto/nto www.nto-nc.org National Training Organisations (NTOs) are employer-led bodies which are responsible for the development of skills to meet the business needs of employment sectors throughout the UK. They have a primary role in galvanising employer involvement in the development and uptake of competence-based standards, education, training and qualifications to help businesses improve competitiveness at home and abroad. The first address is the DfEE NTO site, while the second is the NTO National Council. The Raising Quality and Achievement Programme www.rqa.org.uk The Raising Quality and Achievement programme (RQA) helps colleges improve quality standards and students' achievements. It is run by the Learning and Skills Development Agency (formerly FEDA) in partnership with the Association of Colleges (AOC) and funded through the government's Standards Fund. Courses, Careers and Employment Information HotCourses.com www.hotcourses.com Looking for a course? Use hotcourses to browse or search for courses in many cities in the UK. You can then contact the course provider to ask about availability and apply. Hotcourses doesn't charge colleges to list courses and currently holds information on over 174,000 courses. Sussex Careers Services www.sussexcareers.co.uk www.sussexcourses.org.uk Includes a list of agencies that provide advice on courses and careers in the East Sussex area. Use the second website address to search for adult education courses. The Careers Research and Advisory Centre www.crac.org.uk The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) is a registered charity with over 35 years of experience in helping to bring business and education closer together. CRAC brings together key organisations from industry, academic institutions, consultants and professional bodies into a network of career development opportunities in the form of Insight and Graduate Courses for Undergraduate and PhD students, postdoctoral courses, conferences, publications, career related learning for all key stages within schools and provides a wealth of career/training material through NICEC. FiftyOn.co.uk www.fiftyon.co.uk FiftyOn aims to be: * THE upbeat voice of authority for the over 50's in the areas of diversity, anti-ageism and employment, * THE preferred marketplace for jobs and career opportunities for job seekers over or nearing 50, and for employers who recognise the value of experience, * THE provider of thought-provoking and entertaining content relating to the lifestyle issues and choices facing us, all as well as a channel for your own views and contributions to be aired. The Career Centre is designed to provide the FiftyOn job seeker with a range of tests and exercises to help: decide what type of career change in sought, what skills and experience can be used to best advantage in the future, and preparing for that important interview. Can Do cando.lancs.ac.uk The Careers Advisory Network on Disability Opportunities is the UK's official information service covering employment and careers issues for disabled students and graduates. National Bureau for Students with Disabilities www.skill.org.uk Skill promotes opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment across the UK. The site includes information, news, answers to frequently asked questions, conferences & workshops, and a recruitment section. National Association of Volunteer Bureaux www.navb.org.uk Volunteering for a local organisation can be an invaluable way of gaining work exerience and a 'foot in the door'. NAVB is the membership organisation for a national network of over 400 Volunteer Bureaux throughout England. Volunteer Bureaux assist people to become volunteers, work with organisations seeking volunteers and act as local volunteering development agencies. Search the Bureaux Listing for your closest local office. National Centre for Volunteering www.volunteering.org.uk The National Centre for Volunteering offer a range of services designed to support volunteer managers and organisations that involve volunteers. They believe that increasing the quality, quantity, contribution and accessibility of volunteering will benefit both individuals and the community at large. The website includes news, information, training publications and networks for volunteers, how to volunteer, campaigns and research. Starting a new business www.businesslink.org This website is provided by the Small Business Service – an agency of the UK Government. If you run a small business in the United Kingdom or you are thinking about starting one up - then this website is for you. Whatever stage your firm has reached, they have information and facilities here that will help. You can also get advice and information from the Contact Centre and from the network of local providers. ~ Recruitment Agencies and Guides ~ Government Employment Service www.employmentservice.gov.uk A recruitment based website from the Department for Work and Pensions. Local Government Job Vacancies www.jobsgopublic.co.uk www.lgjobs.com Start Date www.startdate.co.uk UK Recruitment Agency Guide, listings and links. Can search by location, type of job or agency name. Fish 4 Jobs www.fish4jobs.co.uk Monster.co.uk www.monster.co.uk StepStone www.stepstone.co.uk WorkThing.com www.workthing.com ~ Employer and Employee Information ~ Equality Direct www.equalitydirect.org.uk Equality Direct is designed to give employers and business managers easy access to advice on a wide range of equality issues. The site provides general guidance on some of the main topics and includes a page dedicated to exploding myths. Department for Work and Pensions www.dss.gov.uk/dfwp This Department was formed on 8 June 2001 from parts of the former Department of Social Security, parts of the former Department for Education and Employment and the Employment Service. The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to providing people of working age, pensioners and children with the advice and help they need to achieve financial independence and make the most of life. Their priorities are: * a single point of delivery for jobs, benefits advice and support through a modern nationwide service - Jobcentre Plus, * to provide employers with a professional service for filling job vacancies, * a new Pension Service to provide information and support to today's and tomorrow's pensioners, * delivery of a simplified and efficient Child Support system, * equality of opportunity and social inclusion for all. Department of Trade and Industry - Employment Relations www.dti.gov.uk/er/regs Includes employment legislation and employment rights factsheets covering everything from wages to taking time off. Removing the Barriers to Learning: Money to Learn, Benefits & Housing Advice ~ Money to Learn ~ Individual Learning Accounts www.dfee.gov.uk/ila www.my-ila.co.uk Individual Learning Accounts are a new way to help you pay for your learning. Backed by the Government, and supported by learning providers, trade unions and employers, Individual Learning Accounts offer a package of discounts that make it easier for you to get into learning. Look for further information on our Information page or visit the above websites. Financial Help for Adults in Further Education and Training www.dfee.gov.uk/fhfe DfEE website, including a downloadable version of the booklet. Student Support www.dfee.gov.uk/studentsupport A DfEE website, this is for students living in England and Wales who want to know what financial help is available to them as Higher Education students. National Union of Students www.nusonline.co.uk Includes welfare and benefits advice for students. New Deal www.newdeal.gov.uk New Deal is a key part of the Government's Welfare to Work strategy. It gives New Deal jobseekers aged 18-24, 25 plus, 50 plus and those with disabilities a real chance to develop their potential, gain skills and experience and find work. In addition, New Deal for Lone Parents and New Deal for Disabled People offers the opportunity to lone parents and disabled people on other benefits to explore work options. New Deal for Disabled People www.newdeal.gov.uk/english/unempdisabled www.dfee.gov.uk/nddp New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) is designed especially for people who have a disability or a long-term illness and are claiming incapacity benefits but who want to work. Information and news can be found at both of these addresses. JobCentre Plus www.dss.gov.uk/es/jobcentreplus Later this year, the Government is improving the way support is provided to people of working age who are claiming benefits. The aim is to move to a welfare system that provides active support to help people become more independent, based on work for those who can and security for those who cannot. Jobcentre Plus will bring together the Employment Service, which runs Jobcentres, and those parts of the Benefits Agency providing services to people of working age. Jobcentre Plus will provide a single point of contact for all working age people to access: Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Maternity Allowance, Bereavement Benefits, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Invalid Care Allowance, and the Social Fund. ~ Funding Providers ~ New Opportunities Fund www.nof.org.uk NOF are a Lottery Distributor created to award grants to health, education and environment projects throughout the UK. Many grant programmes focus particularly on those in society who are most disadvantaged. The site offers information on how to apply for funding, details of grants in your area, up to date information on activities, and details of exhibitions and events. European Social Fund www.dfee.gov.uk/esf www.esfnews.org.uk The European Social Fund is an important source of funding for activities to develop employability and human resources, in line with the European Employment Strategy. It is used to add value to policies introduced to make a reality of the Governments vision for an inclusive society. The ESF (including the application process itself) is managed by the regional Government Offices in England and the national offices for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The website includes news, guidance notes, application forms and other useful downloads. Fundraising Forum www.fundraising.org.uk Definitive for UK fundraising info. Funders On-Line www.fundersonline.org Europe wide with web links to online funders. Give As You Earn (GAYE) www.giveasyouearn.org With details of how groups can get involved for funding. FunderFinder www.funderfinder.org.uk Software for UK grant-seekers, for both individuals and groups. Also includes a fundraising email-group. ~ General Advice ~ National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux www.nacab.org.uk Information on benefits and housing can be found here as well as details of your local Citizens' Advice Bureau. Law Rights www.lawrights.co.uk Includes information on most areas of law, including housing (public and private) and employment. ~ Housing Advice ~ Housing Net www.housingnet.co.uk Information and contacts for social, private and student housing around the UK. Shelter www.shelter.org.uk Shelter is a national organisation working for over 30 years to improve the lives of homeless and badly housed people. The website includes policy and campaigning news as well as housing advice. Crisis www.crisis.org.uk Crisis is a national charity dedicated to the relief of poverty and distress among single homeless people. Their mission is to end street homelessness through practical action to help homeless people move towards a secure, sustainable home. Centrepoint www.centrepoint.org.uk Centrepoint is the national charity for homeless young people. It houses over 600 young people each night in its emergency shelters, hostels, foyers and flats across Greater London and, in doing so, prevents them being exposed to the dangers of sleeping rough. Nationally, Centrepoint works to prevent youth homelessness by helping local groups and agencies provide housing and support for young people at risk. Centrepoint knows that accommodation alone is not always enough which is why it also provides access to education, training and employment, as well as help with finding and keeping a permanent home, so that young people can get back on their feet for good. Homeless Alliance www.homeless.org.uk National Homeless Alliance is a membership organisation for those providing services to homeless people. They have over 1000 members who work with over 30 000 homeless people every day. They provide information, advice and training, develop networks, undertake research, broker resources and lobby for change. Members include Day Centres, Resettlement Services, Open Learning Centres, Hostels, Local Authorities, Drugs Advice Agencies: an entire cross section of the UK voluntary sector dealing with homelessness. Homeless Pages www.homelesspages.org.uk Homeless Pages is a comprehensive guide to information about homelessness. It provides an introduction to homelessness, plus a database of resources, including research reports, directories, training courses and websites. Includes information for asylum seekers. Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions Housing and Housing Policy www.housing.detr.gov.uk The Housing part of the DTLR website includes information ranging from policy documents and research papers to guidance on your rights as a council tenant or easier home buying and selling. ~ Refugee and Asylum Seeker Advice ~ Refugee Council www.refugeecouncil.org.uk The Refugee Council is the largest organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. They not only give help and support, but also work with asylum seekers and refugees to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed. Oxfam Asylum Seekers in the UK Page www.oxfam.org.uk/campaign/cutconflict/asylum/intro.htm Oxfam GB is a development, relief, and campaigning organisation dedicated to finding lasting solutions to poverty and suffering around the world. They believe that every human being is entitled to a life of dignity and opportunity; and they work with poor communities, local partners, volunteers, and supporters to help this become a reality. Oxfam is concerned about the plight of asylum seekers for two reasons. As part of their work on poverty in the UK they are increasingly dealing with asylum seekers living in extreme poverty as a result of government policy. Secondly, as Oxfam works in many of the countries asylum seekers are fleeing, they see the persecution and violence that people are subject to. National Coalition of anti-Deportation Campaigns www.ncadc.org.uk Includes news of campaigns, resources and links to similar sites. Home Office Immigration & Nationality Directorate www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk The official pages to help you understand what the Immigration Rules say about applying to stay in the United Kingdom. Removing the Barriers to Learning: Age, Disabilities, Mental Health and Learning Difficulties Organisations under this heading are general advice and support groups. For specific information on learning, courses and careers, money to learn, or using the Internet look also under those sections. ~ Age ~ Age Concern www.ageconcern.org.uk In their role as the National Council on Ageing, Age Concern bring together a network of local Age Concern organisations and over 100 national organisations in the UK (including the main professional bodies and pensioner organisations). They offer practical help, information and advice as well as information on current campaigns and news. ~ Disabilities and Mental Health ~ East Sussex Disability Association www.esda.org.uk The East Sussex Disability Association (ESDA) exists to help all disabled people in East Sussex achieve independence and control over their lives. ESDA is a registered charity where the majority of trustees and members are disabled people. To achieve their aims ESDA employ a number of staff and volunteers, many of whom are disabled people, to run their projects and services. Contact ESDA on 01323 514520 for a copy of their comprehensive directory of national and local employment support and training organisations for disabled people living in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove ('The Employment Directory, 2000'). Disability Alliance www.disabilityalliance.org Includes information, advice, training, research and campaigning sections. Leonard Cheshire Foundation www.leonard-cheshire.org Leonard Cheshire is the leading charity provider of services for disabled people in the UK and operates in over 51 countries across the world. The Workability project aims to provide up to 10,000 disabled people between 19 – 50 years with computer equipment in their own home, training them in new skills and providing them with help in the job search process. You're Able www.youreable.com Includes information on discounts, travel, motoring, community, equipment, work, money, computing and health. Disability Now Newspaper www.disabilitynow.org.uk Includes news, features, a comprehensive indexed links page and a chat facility. Government Disability Website www.disability.gov.uk Includes information on the Disability Discrimination Act, the Disability Rights Commission and the Disability Rights Task Force, along with education specific information. The British Dyslexia Association www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk The BDA is the voice of dyslexic people. They offer advice, information and help to families, professionals and dyslexic individuals. They are working to raise awareness and understanding of dyslexia, and to effect change. The site includes a set of information sheets. Royal National Institute for the Blind www.rnib.org.uk The Royal National Institute for the Blind helps all blind and partially sighted people in the UK. RNIB's task is to challenge blindness: 'We challenge the disabling effects of sight loss by providing information and practical services to help people get on with their own lives. We challenge all who put barriers in the path of blind and partially sighted people. And we challenge the underlying causes of blindness by working towards its prevention, cure or alleviation.' The British Deaf Association www.britishdeafassociation.org.uk The British Deaf Association exists to ensure that Deaf people using sign language have the same rights and entitlement as any other citizens. They aim to achieve this by taking a lead in partnerships, promoting sign language and targeting resources. Mind www.mind.org.uk Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales, and works for a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. Includes a comprehensive list of links to organisations dealing with specific disabilities, learning difficulties and mental health issues. Mentality www.mentality.org.uk A national charity dedicated to the promotion of mental health. Their website includes campaign news, resources, policy support and development and a message board. Mental Health Foundation www.mentalhealth.org.uk The Mental Health Foundation aims to improve the lives of everyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities. They do this by using research, service development and information to increase understanding and meet people's needs. Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People Banstead Place Brain Injury Centre www.qefd.org This organisation provides vocational rehabilitation for adults with acquired brain injuries with one-to-one and group sessions, unpaid work experience. They also offer IT training. The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities www.learningdisabilities.org.uk The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities aims to improve the quality of life for people with learning disabilities. They do this by conducting research and sharing the findings with other people. The Foundation is a registered charity, part of the Mental Health Foundation. Mencap www.mencap.org.uk Mencap works with people with a learning disability to fight discrimination. It campaigns to ensure that their rights are recognised and that they are respected as individuals. Removing the Barriers to Learning - Childcare Kites www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk/edu/childcare Childcare Information in the East Sussex Area, provided by East Sussex County Council. Kites provide free, accurate and up to date information/advice on all childcare facilities and services for children throughout East Sussex. This service is impartial, confidential and easily accessible through a local rate telephone number (0845 6010777), by fax, or face-to-face at the Eastbourne office, as well as through regular sessions within the community. Childcare Link www.childcarelink.gov.uk A DfEE initiative, this website includes local and national childcare information and vacancies. Follow the links to the East Sussex section. (This is where the Childrens' Information Service database updates to.) Childcare Partnerships Forum www.childcare-partnerships.co.uk The Childcare Partnership Forum has been created by Kids' Clubs Network to provide a round the clock source of help, advice and information. Kids' Clubs Network www.kidsclubs.co.uk Information for children and adults about the Kids' Clubs Network. Details and suggestions for activities for out of school clubs. Contacts for help and support for community-based out of school care and play schemes. National Childminding Association www.ncma.org.uk Information about registered childminding and the National Childcare Strategy. News, press releases and information about publications. Includes contact details for childminding groups and associations. Boosting your Brain Power – Mind and Body It is a well researched fact that mind and body are intrinsicly linked. So while you are excercising your brain, don't forget to look after your body as well. The following are some places to find information and resources on Mind, Body & Spirit. The Food and Mood Project www.foodandmood.org www.smartgroups.com/groups/foodandmood Based in East Sussex, the Mood & Food Project aims to empower individuals to explore the relationship between diet, nutrition and emotional and mental health and to share this information with others. Their Food and Mood Handbook is an invaluable guide for all those who wish to explore the relationship between diet, nutrition and emotional and mental health. Go to www.foodandmood.org/handbook.html to purchase a signed copy of the handbook with free delivery in the UK (a percentage of sales goes to the mental health charity, Mind). The website also includes information on workshops and talks, a recipe for the Mind Meal and an online support group (use the second address to join this group). You can also subscribe to the quarterly newsletter. The Food Doctor www.thefooddoctor.co.uk The Food Doctor aims to provide independent professional and appropriate advice, filtering through the myths and facts so that you can discover the truth about nutrition and your health. The website contains a wealth of informative news. You can read their book 'The Food Doctor' online, or you can purchase the new book 'The Food Doctor in the City'. Gaia Books www.gaiabooks.co.uk Gaia books publish books about health, spirit, natural history, and books on the environment and ecology. If you call their credit card hotline to order (01453 752985) and mention that you saw the book on the website then there is 20% off and free delivery in the UK. Subjects included are yoga, pilates, tai chi, feng shui, meditation, massage, chakra healing, reiki, detoxing, and foods and recipes for mood, energy, anti-stress and healing. Their 'Powerfoods' range of books are particularly affordable – for example, see www.gaiabooks.co.uk/books/mood_food.html for the Mood Food book which is £4.99 (minus 20% and free delivery in the UK). Alphabet Street www.alphabetstreet.co.uk A general online bookstore that includes most titles, this service also includes free delivery in the UK. Learning and Using Computers and the Internet SIESTA - Sharing the Internet to Establish Systems, Training and Access www.esussex.org.uk/siesta The main objective of the SIESTA project is to develop the internal capacity of voluntary/community organisations working with all ESF target groups. Through SIESTA these organisations will be able to develop in-house computer skills and access up to date information about events, funds, unemployment data, audits and reports, local contacts, examples of best practice etc. It will speed also communication between the different sectors – voluntary, Statutory and commercial - that work with unemployed sub-target groups. Includes task groups on: * training - including free IT training for community groups, * equipment – recycling computers for the community, * access points across the country, * databases – setting the standards for information, * website – building eSussex, and * management – project board and workers. The project will be accessible to small voluntary and community groups throughout the county and will be available through a number of outlets – including public libraries – to the general public (sub-target groups), thus providing information about services from all sectors. UK Online Centres www.dfee.gov.uk/ukonlinecentres The overall objective of UK online centres is to enable everyone in the UK that wants it to have access to the internet and e-mail near to where they live. The centres will help people to develop the skills to use the Internet to access information, send email using a PC, mobile phone, digital television or games console; (please note not all centres will have the same facilities), and explore the opportunities that new technologies offer such as for further learning and updating skills. As well as providing access to the Internet and email, support from staff in the centers will be on hand to help people to explore opportunities for further learning through ICTs. ReadPlease 2000 readplease.com Download this free software to have web pages, e-mail and any text read aloud to you. If you are finding there is just too much on-screen reading with all of this technology, then you will love using ReadPlease. You can also download this directly from our downloads page. Technology for Disabilities Information Service www.disinhe.ac.uk/project/techdis.asp TechDis is a new Joint Information Systems Committee service set up to provide information and advice to the Further and Higher Education Sectors on the use of new and existing Communication and Information Technologies, to enhance access to learning and teaching, research and administration activities for students and staff with disabilities. British Computer Association of the Blind www.bcab.org.uk BCAB is a self-help group of visually impaired computer professionals and users and was founded in 1969. The site includes useful links to information about access technology, computing (including accessible computer games), web and software accessibility, electronic texts and other alternative formats, training materials, accessible web search engines, enquiry services, reference materials, newspapers, broadcasting and audio services, and general information, services and products. Bobby www.cast.org/bobby Bobby is a free service provided by CAST to help Web page authors identify and repair significant barriers to access by individuals with disabilities. Submit a website address to see how the page fares or download the free software to diagnose an entire website (as a batch of pages). Web Accessibility Initiative www.w3.org/WAI WAI, in coordination with organizations around the world, pursues accessibility of the Web through five primary areas of work: technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development. The website includes a checklist and rating system for web authors to help make sure their websites are accessible to all. 'The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.,' Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web. SiteGem Free Websites www.sitegem.com A place where community organisations can create and upload a website with little or no HTML knowledge. You can create a free website consisting of 15 pages or you can purchase any number of paid interactive options which include unlimited pages, customer response forms, guestbooks, mailing lists and domain hosting. Tripod and Webmonkey www.tripod.co.uk hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey Another place to build and keep free websites, Tripod includes web building tools and help files, while Webmonkey is the place to find easy to understand 'how to' guides to the internet and Web building. General Directories and Local Organisation Listings East Sussex Community Information Services www.escis.org.uk The fastest way to find organisations across East Sussex, browse or search this website to find the best organisation to contact for the information you are looking for. eSussex www.esussex.org.uk eSussex is run by Sussex Community Internet Project on behalf of the SIESTA partnership. A first-stop access point for resources for voluntary and community groups in East Sussex, this website includes news, information, discussions on-line and links to most organisations across East Sussex. East Sussex Web www.eastsussexweb.co.uk A directory and information service of East Sussex which includes contact details for hundreds of adult education, pre-school entries and schools, colleges and university entries. UK Online www.ukonline.gov.uk This site aims to tell you all you need to know about government and includes a quick find for government services, a helping hand with events in your life, and a space to discuss and consult with the government. Information for Local Government www.info4local.gov.uk This site provides an online, one-stop gateway for local authorities to get quick and easy access to local government-related information that is published on the web sites of central government departments and agencies. www.learnerforum.net This list was compiled by the East Sussex Adult Learner Forum, June 2001. A hyperlinked version can be found at the www.learnerforum.net links page. Please send any website links that you think should be added to this list to info@learnerforum.net. Disclaimer: Please note that many of the above website summaries have been taken from the websites' own descriptions and no responsibility can be taken by the Adult Learner Forum for any information provided on any of these sites.