Help & Support

We are working to get old equipment donated from North East businesses redistributed to community groups across the region as quickly as we can! If you think you might be able to offer support, or have devices to donate, please email betterconnectedne@gmail.com.

If you need help to access the internet because you need equipment, data or skills, have a look at our list of links and resources below. If you can't find what you need below, or if you'd prefer to chat it out with a human, you can get in touch with us and we can see how we can help.

DATA access & WiFi

Hartlepower are offering low-cost community broadband through the Get Connected Project with unlimited data for only £20 per month. This uses a powerful 4G WiFi router that is easy to install (so contact-free!) - just plug in and go!

The best part of this is that there are no contracts! It is a sort of pay-as-you-go, month by month billing process.

Local teams are on hand in Hartlepool to help with issues.

To access a router, or more information, get in touch with us at betterconnectedne@gmail.com.

equipment access

Social Box.Biz collect and refurbish used laptops and devices from businesses and then redistribute them to those who need them.

Get Online @ Home sells low-cost and internet-ready desktops, laptops, and tablets, as well as affordable broadband packages.

For Durham Residents Only! Digital Durham Reboot scheme: Durham County Council partnered with Protech City to offer low-cost computer equipment to registered charities and social enterprise. based in county Durham and social enterprises.

Accessibility and Accessibility Training

Microsoft offers a series of webinars on their various accessibility resources as well as a comprehensive explanation of accessibility tools built into their products and software. They offer a wide variety of tools and excellent resources to assist people with disabilities to use their products.

Enhance the UK has some excellent top tips on various aspects of good accessibility practice, including how to run accessible video calls.

Zoom has put out some tips on how to use their various accessibility features when using their platform.

We have sourced funding to develop and provide training to those in the North East VCSE sector who provide online services or information. Starting in January we will run a series of accessibility training on:

1. Introduction to Accessibility

2. Online meetings and social media

3. Website Design

4. Office documents and email

For links to the workshop please see the Accessibility Workshops flyer.

Please contact richard@differencenortheast.org.uk for more information.

For more information about accessibility software and resources please see our Help & Support page.

Digital skills

AbilityNet provides IT support at home via the internet or telephone. They also have accessibility guides for people with visual or hearing impairments.

Learn My Way offers a series of short tutorials and courses to help people develop confidence and skills in using the internet. Topics range from 'using a search engine' to 'using online banking'.

Digital Unite train people to be 'digital champions' who then support more people within community groups to get online.

Citizens Online have created a resource list in response to COVID-19 needs. This includes information on how to make video calls and how to ensure greater online privacy.

Asylum Matters have translated instructions for using Zoom into 14 other languages. This link will take you to a Google Drive folder.

Media Savvy is an organisation based in Sunderland. They run courses on digital skills, digital arts and media, health and wellness and more. Media Savvy focus on work with people with mental health problems, learning disabilities, and those who are long term unemployed or ex-offenders. They promote creativity, education, employability skills, and rehabilitation. Have a look at their 2019-2020 prospectus and a flyer outlining some of their online courses. Find their current courses on facebook.

Sign up to the Online Centres Network to join over 5,000 grassroots projects and organisations working to tackle digital exclusion. You can easily access digital skills training from this network, as well as seeks inspiration from other initiatives.