BROADBAND  Connecting Somerset

Connecting Somerset is an innovative project that is helping to put the county at the forefront of the broadband boom. With 24% of businesses and households coonected to broadband, Somerset is well ahead of the national average.

The initiative offers expert advice, support and financial help to businesses investing in IT technology. Since its launch in January 2005, Connecting Somerset has had contact with more than 12,000 local businesses; spreading the word about the advantages of broadband at special events and via mail-shots and other marketing initiatives.

The project provides free expert IT advice and grants up to 50% towards the cost of services or products that help businesses move forward with broadband and IT. This subsidy can be used for broadband subscription, websites, software, hardware, advice or staff training. Participation in the scheme also provides an excellent marketing opportunity for companies; they can feature in a high-profile portfolio of case studies, sent to 700 businesses and associated organisations. They may also feature on the Connecting Somerset website.

One Somerset business that has taken advantage of the scheme is Passmaster Intensive, a driving school based near Minehead.
Founder Cliff Barber knew that an internet presence would be crucial for his new business; which offers intensive driving courses; to succeed
He contacted Connecting Somerset, who gave him a grant towards the £500 cost of setting up the site and put him in touch with a selection of web developers. Cliff chose ArcSite and has been delighted with the result. His driving school gained £4,200 worth of bookings in its first six weeks of trading. One customer even used a satellite link to contact Passmaster from the Antartic survey ship the Endeavour!

Connecting Somerset is supported by the South West Regional Development Agency; the European Social Fund, the Learning and Skills Council and Somerset's county and district councils.

Phone: 08457 211 112
Email: info@connectingsomerset.co.uk
Website: www.connectingsomerset.co.uk

Employing Ex-Offenders

The Crossroads Project offers free, practical advice and guidance to employers on developing safe and fair recruitment practices
Crossroad services are available to employers across Somerset and West of England areas and can offer a range of advice including

• How to deal with the initial application from an (ex)-offender


• Employers responsibilities under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.


• Best practice in recruiting and employing those with a criminal record.


• Insurance implications.


• Types of crimes and their relevance to employment.


• The Criminal Records Bureau.


• And much more.

The Crossroads Project have staff who work with (ex)-offenders, assisting them to improve their skills, employability and to gain employment. They actively encourage job seeking clients to disclose their criminal record as part of securing sustainable employment.

Does this affect your business

7.3 million adults in the UK have a criminal conviction and around a third of males have a criminal conviction before they are thirty.

it is probable you already employ people with a crimonal conviction without knowing. The more businesses who recruit (ex)-offenders both safely and fairly, the more confident people will be to disclose honesty.

In todays competitive market, can you afford to ignore this large group of  potentially valuable and committed employees ?

For more information on employing (ex)-offenders, please contact the Crossroads Project Employer Liason Officer

Jen Martin
Crossroads
11 Canon Street
Taunton
TA1 1SN
01823251351 / 07917464545