FREE courses are available

Still at home? Want to be better at numbers or computers? FREE courses are available

There are courses at all levels. The government is funding this, with courses picked carefully to suit YOUR needs.

https://theskillstoolkit.campaign.gov.uk/?utm_source=South%20Gloucestershire%20Council%20resident%20update&utm_campaign=cc4abc7eba-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_05_05_01_09&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fb4bc0c59a-cc4abc7eba-406237961

Want some new IT skills?

This really friendly small group provides 1:1 support for whatever you are trying to do on your computer or smart phone - from how to switch it on, right through to advanced excel. It will help you with projects like writing up holiday diaries or inventing a spread sheet.  You can pick which morning you want to go to, and go for as  many weeks as you want.  The Brockridge is easy to get to by bus (it is about 5 mins walk down Woodend Road from the bus stop nearest the Miners Institute on the Badminton Road at Coalpit Heath). Yate residents very welcome.

Low cost computer scheme for people on benefits and charities

South Glos Council has teamed up with an IT provider to offer a range of low cost professionally refurbished computers to eligible residents and registered UK charities in South Gloucestershire. Both desktop and laptop computers are available under the scheme in a range of performance/price combinations, costing between £99 and £149. All have Windows 10 fitted.


To apply for a low cost computer you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

    Housing Benefit
    Income Support
    Jobseeker’s allowance
    Pension credit
    Disability Living Allowance
    Attendance Allowance / Constant Attendance Allowance
    Carer’s Allowance
    Incapacity Benefit / Employment and Support Allowance
    Disability element of Working Tax Credit
    Universal Credit

Registered UK charities are also eligible for this scheme.



More details are available here, and you can apply at any South Glos library.

Low-cost computer scheme launched in South Gloucestershire

A low-cost computer scheme is being piloted across South Gloucestershire in a move at helping targeted groups access the internet more easily.

A range of starter desktop and laptop PCs are being made available to anyone who is on low income, receiving certain benefits or experiencing other disadvantages.

The equipment, which is available through an IT provider is professionally refurbished, ready to use and includes a 12-month warranty.

The aim of the scheme is to help people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a PC with a view to using it to look for work or access online training and learning.

Councillor Heather Goddard, Chair of the Communities Committee, said: “Not owning or having ready access to a computer can be an obstacle to people who are looking to find work or to acquire new skills or knowledge through online learning.

“This pilot scheme will help those unable to afford a computer through subsidised and supported assistance.”

Prices start from around £85 which includes a fully-licensed version of Microsoft® Windows 7, Microsoft® Office 2010, 12-month warranty and free delivery.

Residents must receive at least one of the following to be eligible for these special Microsoft® Office system prices:

·       Income Support
·       Jobseekers Allowance
·       Pension Credit
·       Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
·       Attendance Allowance/Constant Attendance Allowance
·       Carer’s Allowance
·       Incapacity Benefit/Employment and Support Allowance
·       disability element of working tax credit

Registered UK charities can also take advantage of this special deal.

For anyone who meets any of the following criteria there are computers available without Microsoft® Office 2010 but still including Microsoft Windows 7 and starting at around £100:

·       65 years or older
·       receiving means-tested benefit
·       are an unpaid carer
·       are registered disabled
·       living on a low income
·       have a child entitled to free school meals

More information on the scheme is available at https://www.southglos.gov.uk/lowcostcomputer

To take advantage of this special deal please visit any of the organisations listed below. You will be asked to complete a simple application form and may also be asked for proof of eligibility for the scheme.

To order you will need either a valid PayPal account, credit or debit card or, alternatively, you can pay in cash at any of our libraries.

Assistance with ordering is available at these organisations. All of our libraries also offer an introductory session on setting up your new computer and a range of free online courses to help you through the basics.

For more information and how to order visit:

Any South Gloucestershire library

For details of your nearest library visit www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries or phone 01454 868006

Banjo Island Community and Sports Association
The Batch Community Centre
8a Park Road
Warmley
BS30 8EB
07984 073968 (Jackie)

Southern Brooks Community Partnerships
Coniston Community Centre
BS34 5LP
01454 868570

Carers Support Centre
Vassall Centre
Gill Avenue, Fishponds
Bristol BS16 2QQ
0117 939 2562

Juice Community Project
56-60 Newton Road
Cadbury Heath
BS30 8EL
01454 302 302

Age UK South Gloucestershire
67 High Street
Thornbury
South Gloucestershire
BS35 2AW
01454 411 707

Beware unsolicited phone calls from "Microsoft" - they're a scam

One of our readers reports receiving phone calls from "Alternate Windows Tech Support" or "Microsoft Computer Support". We've had a call too, but cut them off. Our reader went along with one of the calls to see what would happen.

The foreign-sounding caller asked them to carry out several "tests" on their PC, and when the PC brought up quite normal results, they said it was evidence that it was infested with viruses. Then they asked our reader to open up Remote Access so that they could control the PC and "cure" it (potentially downloading confidential data from the machine)

At this stage our reader stopped the call, but according to this article from the Guardian they then go on to ask for an appreciable sum of money to deal with the so-called "viruses"

It's suspected that they are targeting names from the phone directory, so it's quite possible that they may contact other local people.

As Microsoft themeselves say, "We do not send unsolicited email messages or make unsolicited phone calls to request personal or financial information or fix your computer. If you receive an unsolicited email message or phone call that purports to be from Microsoft and requests that you send personal information or click links, delete the message or hang up the phone"

Don't get caught out - these callers are after your money.

Email scam warning - "Undelivered package" message

Beware of an email saying:

Dear client,
Your package has been returned to the Post Express office.
The reason of the return is "Error in the delivery address"
Attached to the letter mailing label contains the details of the package delivery.
You have to print mailing label, and come in the Post Express office in order to receive the packages.
Thank you.
Post Express Support 

Downloading the "label" actually installs a rather nasty virus on your PC.

This version of the message has just been received locally, but there are others about claiming to be from different companies. Beware!