Connecting people to services
e@sy Connects is a South Yorkshire initiative that provides services and information to businesses and people through use of the internet, digital interactive television, mobile phones and selected kiosks. It is a partnership which brings together Councils, health and emergency services and voluntary groups, Job Centre Plus, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and Yorkshire Forward.
The aim is to provide everybody, and in particular those in greatest need, with simple and innovative access to information and services.
By striving to make the region more aware of the benefits of digital services, e@sy Connects provides “different avenues for different people in different situations”. The variety of services accessible ranges from advice on money problems to booking a doctor’s appointment. In particular, it provides options for people seeking work.
Via digital TV, the Internet, mobile phone or selected kiosks deployed in South Yorkshire, local people are provided with support in finding employment without having to go to their JobCentre Plus office.
By switching to digital methods, job seekers get a fully tailored, less stressful service which saves time and money. It cuts out the lengthy form filling and adds flexibility and convenience to their search. In addition, the jobseeker chooses the date and time that suits them for JobCentre Plus to phone and provide advice.
Programme Manager Gary Simpson believes a personalised and accessible solution to finding work empowers jobseekers. He says, “By minimising the ‘wading through’ aspect of searching for jobs online we can engage the unemployed, allow them to get connected and create better citizens.”
e@sy Connects is also launching an Early Years programme which aims to support people by improving their skills and offering career paths through training and apprenticeships.
Gary Simpson comments,
“We want to break the chain of families who have become dependent on benefits. By discouraging long term unemployment we can avoid people feeling that their skills are out of date and losing the drive to find work.”
Thousands of people are actively using e@sy Connects’ services each day and future plans aim to maximise the benefits the programme has to offer.
As the uptake and availability of high speed broadband internet access becomes more widespread, services will transform into a visually rich environment to make everything easier, faster and more intelligent.
In addition, the development of authentication authorisation will mean transactions can be personalised, users will be recognisable and services will open up to them, resulting in a more tailored service.
Contact details:
e@sy Connects
Suite 1
Churchill Buildings
Thorncliffe Park Industrial Estate
Newton Chambers Road
Chapeltown
Sheffield
S35 2PH
T: 0114 296 5678
