What is the SIESTA project?
This innovative project brought together 18 partners from the statutory,
voluntary and private sectors in East Sussex to try and tackle some long
standing information provision issues - in the context of emerging internet
information and communication technologies. The European Social Fund
allowed for the partnership to develop an ambitious set of target aims to
support community and voluntary groups develop their capacity to work with
their users and members better - using new technology. Along with its
sister project ESCORT much has been achieved and some interesting lessons
learned.
Why?
Internet and other computer technologies present big challenges for groups
to overcome if they wish to use them in their work. The need for training,
support and access to the technology was all recognised in developing this
project. East Sussex County Council was at the same time exploring ways of
supporting groups better in particular through the developing 'Compact'
between sectors and the needs to consult with people under 'Best Value'
requirements.
How?
A total of around £160,000 was agreed by ESF to match the equivalent in
partners contributions, to achieve a broad range of outcomes and specific
outputs working with East Sussex voluntary and community groups who fit the
criteria under the European Social Fund. This has provided a unique opportunity to address issues related to the development of appropriate
skills, access to internet equipment and relevant web based content all at
the same time across East Sussex.
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Some achievements coming out of the SIESTA project
- 270 training places on using the internet
- 20 awareness raising events. Support and one to one guidance to
over 200 groups
- a community website www.eSussex.org.uk
- a first stop information resource where news and events can be posted direct
- 60 reconditioned computers and printers set up for internet use
- Five Newsletters sent out to a mailing list of over 800 groups
and four online newsletters to 40+ individuals registered with
sussex-news@egroups.com.
To register enter your e-mail address on the eSussex homepage
- a web version of the library service's ESCIS database, the online
version of Help in Hand directories www.escis.org.uk.
- Four well attended meetings of the Federation of Information
Providers covering a range of topics relating to the provision of good
information such as the data protection act, creating good publicity,
health service developments, equal opportunities and the popular 'Y2K Info
Day' in Bexhill
- access points in 21 libraries and community points across the
county and related events and topic sessions
- A directory of local groups and services in Hastings on the web, a
guide to 'Providing Public Access to Computers and the Internet', a wealth
of useful information on the website.
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East Sussex County Council
East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority
Sussex Rural Community Council
Sussex Community Internet Project
East Sussex Disability Association
Age Concern
BT
South Downs CVS
Hastings Voluntary Action
Computers for Charities
Lewes Tertiary College
Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology
Robsack Community Centre
Eastnet
University of Sussex
Charities Information Service Sussex
Hastings and Rother Federation of Information Providers
Rye CVS
 with support from
Brighton and Hove Council and European Social Fund
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