If you need help or advice on making ICT and the web more accessible for those who may have some form of disability please view our Sunderland web accessibility page here.

Online surfing advice for parents and kids

Internet users are naturally concerned about security, such as privacy of e-mail, whether to send credit card details over the internet or whether their children can come across undesirable websites. These are all common, valid concerns, but there are measures such as the ones below, you can take to guarantee these don’t happen.

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

BBC also offers crime prevention advice, helping parents with online choices, to view click here.

Content Advisor is available in Windows XP which can control how much of the Internet a person can view using ratings. To do this, click on the Start button on your PC, then click on Control Panel, then Network and Internet Connections, then click on Internet Options, then Content and Enable, once finished click Ok.

E-mails
To safeguard your e-mail address you should only give it to individuals of your choice. Sometimes e-mail addresses are obtained by companies who send you junk e-mails known as ‘spam’. You can try to avoid these by not giving your e-mail address on forms you fill in and never reply to unsolicited e-mails.

It’s all about trust!
Inform children and young people of the risks on the Internet and discuss any concerns you may have, make them aware that they should never meet anyone from the Internet and can talk to you anytime about any concerns they may have.

Coalfield Forum Office
We promote the use of computers and offer the opportunity for anyone to visit our office in Shiney Row and can offer advice on how to start learning about them.  We offer support, internet access, scanner, digital camera, computer and printer.

If anyone is interested please feel free to contact us on 0191 385 4935 and speak to Rachel our e-Forum Officer and arrange a time you would like to come in.

Free Online Capacity Development Tools

If you are part of a community group and would like to register for free access to both Flashmeeting and Hexagon please contact Chris Foreman chris.foreman@sunderland.gov.uk .The service is offered at no charge and only requires a basic PC and broadband internet connection.

Houghton Racecourse Community Access Point

They have ICT facilities with Broadband Internet services.  There are 12 PC's all attached to the internet, which are free to use to members of the public, as long as you abide by their Internet Usage Policy.  If necessary, in some cases they have laptops that can be issued for you to use at home.

The Libraries and Information Access Zone (LIAZe) Project started in April 1999. It operates in the former coalfields communities and across the City.

The two project officers use a specially built mobile computer vehicle with 11 networked laptop computers, printers, scanner and digital camera as well as a wide range of multimedia software to empower their clients (ranging from toddlers to the over 80's). Simple word processing, desktop publishing and using the Internet are some of the hands on and free activities. These allow local people who are unsure about using computers, to gain new skills so that they can enjoy the experience and so take up, if they wish, other lifelong learning opportunities for fun or employment.

For more details please contact Chris or John on 0191 5536668 or e-mail liaze.mobile@sunderland.gov.uk or visit

www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries/liaize.asp.

Sunderland City Council Electronic Village Halls and Learning Centres open the door to Information Technology for all providing:

Access to the Internet, CD-ROMs for adults and children, Word Processing, Spreadsheets and databases, Desktop Publishing, Black and Colour printing, A wide range of IT courses, Homework Support and Disabled access.

The following is a list of just some of the City Council Library Service Electronic Village Halls and Free Internet Access Points

City Library and Arts Centre – Fawcett Street – 0191 514 1235 http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries/City-Library-and-Arts-Centre.asp

Easington Lane Branch Library – High Street – 0191 553 6695
http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries/easington-lane.asp

Fence Houses Branch Library – Britannia Terrace - 0191 382 3040 http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries/fence-houses.asp

Hendon Learning Centre EVH – Toward Road, - 0191 5532750 http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries/hendon.asp

Hetton Learning Centre EVH – Welfare Road, - 0191 5536665 http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries/hetton-evh.asp

Houghton Learning Centre EVH – Newbottle Street – 0191 5536475 http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries/houghtonlibraryevh.asp

Sandhill Centre – Grindon Lane – 0191 5536475
http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries/Sandhill-View-evh.asp

Shiney Row Branch Library – Chester Road – 0191 382 3042
http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries/shiney-row.asp

Washington Green Library – The Green – 0191 219 3435 http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries/washington-green.asp

Washington Millennium Centre – The Oval – 0191 2193878 http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries/millennium-centre-evh.asp

Washington Town Centre EVH – Independence Square - (0191) 219 345 http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries/washington-town-evh.asp

For further information on opening times or provision telephone the EVH/Access Point direct or contact City Library Service:
City Library & Arts Centre, Fawcett Street, Sunderland, SR1 1RE
T: (0191) 514 1235
F: (0191) 514 8444
E: libraries@sunderland.gov.uk
www.sunderland.gov.uk/libraries

Were is the nearest free kiosk?

Hetton - 15, Front Street, Hetton DH5 9PF and Houghton le Spring - Newbottle Street DH4 4AB

Free Touchscreen Services
You can access services from Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland councils, such as:

• Visitor and tourist information across the region
• Tourist Information is available for the Tyne and Wear region
• Places to visit
• Accommodation listings
• Travel and transport
• Nightlife - Dining out - Regional events
• Things to see and do

Travel	Nights Out	Mapping	Council Services