FiSCUS is a Sunderland based social enterprise providing advice for people on benefits who are thinking about returning to work or self-employed. FiSCUS also provides benefit, tax credit and debt advice to GENTOO tenants and people living in social housing. FiSCUS advisors are based in outreach venues in Sunderland, Washington, Hetton and Houghton.

How can FiSCUS help you?

'Better off' Calculations - can calculate how much better off you will be in work or self-employment. We will take into account and childcare fees and check if you are eligible for Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.

In-Work Benefits Support & Advice - If you don't already have a job or business advisor, they can put you in touch with your nearest free advisor in your local area.

Form Completion - We can help make the move to self employment or a new job as easy as possible by helping to complete the relevant forms.

Money Advice - Can help you manage and consolidate your personal debts to help remove unnecessary barriers to entering work or self employment.

The Jubilee Centre are hosting FISCUS appointments on a Friday morning starting on 18th September 2009. To make an appointment or for more information please contact the Jubilee Centre on 0191 5228447.

Or if you would like to contact FiSCUS direct to make alternative arrangements please contact the Head Office at FiSCUS, 609 Hylton Road, Pennywell, Sunderland, SR4 9BY. Tel: 0191 534 8192.

Digital Challenge

Free Equipment Loan Scheme

Are you a voluntary or Community Sector organisation based in Sunderland?
Do you need free equipment on a short term basis, maybe for training purposes?
Do you need free ongoing support with the equipment that you have or loan?
If the answer is yes, then give Digital Challenge a call on 0191 5535000 or email helpdesk@sunderland.gov.uk to find out more.

Digital Challenge have an extensive range of equipment including:

Laptop Computers
Scanners
Digital Cameras & Camcorders
Interactive Whiteboards
Mobile Internet Connectivity
Projectors & Screens
E-Voting Kits
Adaptive Technology
And loads more

If you would like to find out more information on the equipment available, then please call us on 0191 5535000 or email helpdesk@sunderland.gov.uk

Link Up – The bus you can order like a taxi.

This is a demand response transport, semi scheduled route but will deviate to pick passengers up. It provides journeys when regular services are not operating or where direct services are not available. The buses are 25 seater and are accessible to all. The scheme is concerned with looking at alternative solutions and future plans and is to looking at identifying gaps and fill with the Link Up scheme. More information is available on 0191 2020632 or www.nexus.org.uk

Taxi Link – This is a care service scheme for people with disabilities. Taxi link is a door to door service using accessible taxis for a fare of £1.00. Plans for the future include a smart card scheme with equipment installed in local taxis whereby a swipe card can be used therefore taking away the need to book 24 hours in advance. In addition Nexus with the City Council are looking to expand Compass Community Transport, working in partnership to expand this community transport scheme. More information available on taxi link from 0191 2020632 fax 0191 2020700 minicom 0191 2020707,

email taxilink@nexus.org.uk

Free To Use I.T. In The Area

kids Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware. Download it here.

AVG Anti-Virus is a free and effective way to help keep you PC safe. AVG anti virus

The BBC also offers crime prevention advice at http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/prevention/childrenonline.html

South Forum Office
We promote the use of computers and offer the opportunity for anyone to visit our office at the Farringdon Jubilee Community Centre. We can offer advice on how to start learning about computers and offer support, internet access, scanner, digital camera, computer and printer. Please feel free to contact Anthony Gonzalez on 0191 522 8447 or by email anthony@southforum.org.uk

Free Online Capacity Development Tools

Free Video Conferencing Tool
Using only a basic PC with any low cost webcam and headset you can use an online video conferencing tool. Allows meetings to be held online saving on travel costs and time

Video and Audio broadcast over the internet
No download and installation
Easy to use - click the Broadcast button to start
Public Text chat - chat to others while watching the broadcast
Private Text chat - send private messages to individuals
Online voting - share your opinions and feelings
Record the meeting for easy web replay.

video

Try out the free online demo

Free Online Chat Room Tool
Looking for a way to meet up and chat using text and voice with others in your community? This tool will offer you a technically secure way of texting or voice chatting over the internet without the need to install any software. Hexagon will work safely through a firewall.

hexagon

Try out the Free online demo

If you are part of a community group and would like to register for free access to both Flashmeeting and Hexagon please contact Anthony Gonzalez on anthony@southforum.org.uk. The service is offered at no charge and only requires a basic PC and broadband internet connection.

Council Services
Touching any of the side panel buttons will take users to Council services such as: and allow them to request Council forms.

Jobs
Touching on the small Jobs icon at the bottom of the screen will take users to Department for Work and Pension services.

Advice
Touching on the small Advice icon at the bottom of the screen will take users to advice services.

Freemail
Touching on the small Freemail icon at the bottom of the screen will take users to the free email service.


Travel	Nights Out	Mapping	Council Services

Published : 09/09/2009

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