COUNTY REACHES OUT TO RURAL FOLK

East Sussex County Council has launched a 'mobile office' that will stop at six different rural locations. The office vehicle '“ the first of its kind in the South East - will provide residents with free internet access, library information services, a community help point and e-learning opportunities.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Aug 2006, 13:05 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:36 BST

Camber, Etchingham, Maresfield, Newick, Robertsbridge and Telscombe Cliffs are the locations for the new service. The pilot scheme will initially run for one year and if successful and funding is available could be extended to other villages in the county.

The new service was launched at Telscombe Cliffs by Councillor Bob Tidy, Lead Cabinet Member for Community Services at the County Council and Rolande Anderson, Regional Director of the Government Office of the South East. They were joined at the launch by County Council Chairman, Councillor John Barnes.

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Councillor Tidy said: "This is all about bringing council services, information and e-learning out to people in rural areas. Some older people and parents with children who live in the more remote parts of the county may find it difficult to get to our libraries and council offices and access our services. So the County Council is coming to them. I hope this initiative proves to be a real success and we can extend it to other locations and rural areas across East Sussex."

The mobile office will provide people in rural areas with four main services:

'¢ Free access to the internet via the People's Network.

'¢ Library and information services, including searching the library catalogue, reserving books, DVDs, music and other items, collecting and dropping off items and handling enquiries.

'¢ A Community Help Point where people can make local council enquiries and fill in online forms.

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'¢ Learning opportunities through UKOnline, LearnDirect and the local Adult Community Learning Consortium, who will provide informal tutorials or simply answer questions about computers, such as how to use email, the internet, Microsoft Word and other software.

The mobile office schedule is as follows: Monday - 10am '“ 2.00pm Civic Centre car park, Telscombe Cliffs; Tuesday morning - 10.30am - 12.30, Robertsbridge Recreation Ground; Tuesday afternoon - 1.30pm- 3.30pm, Etchingham (location still to be confirmed); Thursday morning - 10.00am '“ 12.30, Newick Village Green; Thursday afternoon - 1.30pm '“ 3.30pm, Maresfield Village Hall car park; and Friday - 11.00am '“ 2.00pm, Camber - Castle Pub car park. For further information people can call the County Council on Lewes (01273) 481538.

Related topics:South East