homelessness and ict support
DESCRIPTION
Presentation given at workshop as part of the Rural ICT Conference, 5th March 2008 at Lackham College, WiltshireTRANSCRIPT
Homeless Link – ICT Connections
Chippenham, 5 March 2008
Craig WeeksRichard Andrew
Homeless Link
National membership agency for frontline homelessness agencies in England
Policy Research and Development Campaigning and Representation Direct Support and Capacity Building
Innovations & Good Practice
Current projects include: ICT Connections Street Outreach handbook Rural Homelessness Invest To Save Toolkit Day Centre support Training programme for frontline staff
Rural Homelessness
Survey of needs and provisionResearch reportDirect support and provision of
good practice information
Rural Homelessness – the issues
Lack of accommodation Funding/costs Referral routes/statutory provision Lack of specialist support services Partnership working Access to services Proving need for services Staffing
Rural Homelessness
For more information, contact Richard Andrew
Full report and good practice information available at www.homeless.org.uk
ICT Connections
Initial survey of ICT needs and provision of frontlineagencies, informing a range of advice and support: Good practice online Direct support and advice on service development Provision of useful, affordable resources Regional networking and good practice events Report, to inform Homeless Link’s future project
work and support
ICT Connections
For more information about Homeless Link’s ICT
Connections Project, visit www.homeless.org.uk/developyourservice/topics/ICT
or email [email protected]
Rural ICT – Good Practice
Remote access:Young Devon has a secure online database
that means support staff don’t need to be office-basedSHYPP has an online intranet allowing
remote access to shared files, policies and email
Rural ICT – Good Practice
Alternative methods of contact:Breckland District Council has an email based text messaging service for appointment remindersThe Contact Centre’s advice service is accessible by telephone, email and videolink via council officesJulian Housing and Shelter NE have centralised
mobile phone systems for safe remote working
Rural ICT – Good Practice
Online networking:HAYH and Mortarnet are examples of regional online networks providing opportunities for agencies to access partnership working, peer support, forums, jobs and trainingA procurement website in Y&H advertises events and procurement opportunities and provides tender documents and advice
Rural ICT – Good Practice
Social enterprise:Eden Foyer runs a public access cyber café
and hires out its IT suite and training rooms to
other community groupsJamie’s Computers recycles, refurbishes and resells computers