Local COVID alert level: high
Colchester is currently defined as a 'high risk' coronavirus alert level. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will take action to minimise disruption and keep residents and visitors safe.
Colchester is currently defined as a 'high risk' coronavirus alert level. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will take action to minimise disruption and keep residents and visitors safe.
Below are links to external resources you might find beneficial for accessing services online.
This list is correct at time of update, please let us know if the links are not working and we will update them.
Email: Digital.AccessSupport@Colchester.gov.uk
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Resource |
Description/details |
Website |
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4 On Demand |
Watch your favourite shows online, from Channel 4, E4, All 4 and Walter Presents.
Require an email address to create an account.
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Advice Local |
Guide to help with benefits, work, money, housing problems and more.
Log in or register to create, edit, and share multiple lists.
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BBC – 8 top tips for staying safe online |
For older children and teenagers.
Videos to explain the top tips.
Registration required for comments.
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www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/findoutmore/help-me-out-staying-safe-online |
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BBC – fool proof tips to beat cyberbullying |
For older children and teenagers.
Videos to explain the top tips.
Registration required for comments.
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www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/findoutmore/help-me-out-cyberbullying?collection=lifebabble-help-me-out |
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BBC iPlayer |
Watch live BBC TV channels, enjoy TV programmes you missed and view exclusive content on BBC iPlayer.
Requires an email address.
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Benefits and taxes |
Learn My Way and then links you to GOV.UK website.
The Learn My Way team have connected up with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) service to bring you everything you need to know about their services.
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Benefits and taxes – Child benefit and tax credits |
Learn My Way guide.
On this page you'll find loads of useful information about which benefits Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) look after, as well as some links that will help you find out more, including how to claim the benefits you're entitled to.
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www.learnmyway.com/resources/tax-credits-child-benefit/
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Benefits and taxes – National insurance and taxes |
Learn My Way guide.
At the top of the page, you'll find out about the taxes and contributions you'll pay if you work for someone else or for a company, along with taxes that apply to anyone.
Below these, you can find out about the taxes and contribution rules you'll have to follow if you're self-employed (if you work for yourself).
The final section of the page has links that can help you if you're running a small limited company.
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www.learnmyway.com/resources/ni-taxes/
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Benefits calculator – Turn2Us |
Takes you to an independent website.
Register to save your progress.
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BT |
What you can do online - tips to help newcomers get the most from the online world.
Links to abilitynet.org.uk website to help customers with visual, hearing, motor skills and cognitive.
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btplc.com/Inclusion/GettingOnline/ForStarters/Whatyoucandoonline/index.htm |
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Buyagift.co.uk – How to trust a website when buying online |
20 tips on what security checks you can do to ensure the safety of the website you are using. |
www.buyagift.co.uk/Content/design/infographics/howtotrustawebsite/how-to-trust-a-website.html |
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Care Opinion |
Can upload and tell your story. Gets sent anonymously to relevant staff.
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Choose.net – Personal Information |
Great news and guide website for TV/Broadband, Mobile phones, Energy, Insurance and Tech.
Also has a comparison price checker.
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www.choose.co.uk/guide/stay-safe-online-social-media-sharing-information.html |
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Citizens Advice |
Takes you to the National Citizens Advice website. |
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Common Health problems |
Takes you to the NHS website with a list of topics of common health questions.
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Digital Learn |
Courses from the basics, being safe online, job skills, being productive, connecting with others, mobile devices, and online shopping.
Use the search bar to find a course.
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Digital Unite
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400+ how-to guides covers a whole host of digital topics. Written by subject matter experts and updated daily, the guides are perfect for supporting others with digital skills or improving your own knowledge.
These can be printed.
Use the search bar to find a course. |
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Draw a Stick Man |
A game to help with control of using the mouse and is fun to do!
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Eating well on a budget (video) |
Takes you to the NHS website.
Information for vegetarians.
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Entitled to – Benefits Checker |
Takes you to an independent website.
Register to save your progress.
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Entitledto – should you switch benefits? |
Takes you to an independent website.
Register to save your progress.
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www.entitledto.co.uk/help/changes_that_trigger_Universal_Credit |
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FaceTime |
Apple Support guide for using FaceTime.
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Find a job |
Takes you to the DWP website.
Can search for type of job and search an area.
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GCF Learn |
Learn more about using web browsers, navigating Windows 10 and OS X, and staying safe online.
Hone your Internet skills using these self-paced tutorials, where you’ll get tips for staying safe online, using social media safely, setting up email and Google accounts, and much more.
Use the search bar at the top of the website to find a topic.
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edu.gcfglobal.org/en/subjects/basic-skills/
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Get Safe Online |
Great website that covers everything from staying safe online to scams.
Can change language to Welsh.
Good video tutorials explaining some of the risks of going online.
Use the search bar at the top of the website to find a topic.
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Good for learning work docs, files and cv template.
Need a G Suite account.
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GOV.UK – Benefits |
Takes you to GOV.UK website. Information about Benefits. |
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GOV.UK – Help and Advice when applying for a job |
Takes you to the Gov.UK website.
Lots of advice on job requirements, such as DBS checks to National Insurance.
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GOV.UK – Tax credit calculator |
Takes you to the Gov.UK website.
Information and advice for Working and Children Tax Credit claims.
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GOV.UK – Blue badge |
Takes you to GOV.UK website.
Check your eligibility and apply for a Blue Badge. You can also use this service to reapply for a Blue Badge.
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GOV.UK – Find your local council |
Takes you to GOV.UK website.
Find the website for your local council. |
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GOV.UK – Report potholes |
Takes you to GOV.UK website.
Enter the postcode of the road where you found the pothole in England or Wales.
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Health A – Z
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Takes you to the NHS website.
Health A to Z. Your complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help.
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Health Check Tools |
Takes you to the NHS website health tools homepage.
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Internet Matters – Helping parents keep their children safe online |
Get expert support and practical tips to help children benefit from connected technology and the internet safely and smartly.
Good video tutorials
For parents of children all ages.
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Introduction to Android tablets |
Excellent pdf How to guide.
Is Australian, so websites or pictures could be different or not relevant.
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www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/seniors/pdf/new-guides/intro-to-tablets-android-new.pdf |
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Introduction to iPads |
Excellent pdf How to guide.
Is Australian, so websites or pictures could be different or not relevant.
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www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/seniors/pdf/new-guides/intro-to-ipad-tablets-new.pdf |
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Introduction to tablets |
Excellent pdf How to guide.
Is Australian, so websites or pictures could be different or not relevant. |
www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/seniors/pdf/new-guides/intro-to-tablets-new.pdf |
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iPlayer Radio |
Save shows to listen to later, subscribe to your favourites and get fresh recommendations every day.
Requires an email address to create an account.
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ITV Hub |
ITV Hub - the new home of ITV Player, ITV on demand and live TV. It's all of ITV in one place so you can sneak peek upcoming Premieres, watch Box Sets, series
Requires an email address to create an account.
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Learn my way
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Learn My Way has free courses for you to learn digital skills to stay safe and connected.
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Learn My Way – accreditation |
Get a City & Guilds accreditation by completing the assessment with our code. You will need an account to access this.
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Learn My Way – devices |
Information on different types of devices, to see which device is right for you.
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Learn My Way – Facebook page |
Takes you to Learn My Way Facebook page. |
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Learn My Way -Glossary |
Glossary - Computer and Internet key terms and definitions. |
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Learn My Way Resources for Digital Champions |
Learn My Way PDF.
Gives advice for responding to common barriers from customers on learning the internet.
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www.learnmyway.com/files/resources-for-digital-champions.pdf |
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Make it click
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Make It Click features free courses, tools, and templates that you can trust. You can learn new apps, improve the skills you already have and take a positive step forward in your work.
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makeitclick.learnmyway.com/directory
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Microsoft – Excel for Windows Training |
Takes you to Microsoft website.
Very good tutorial videos for using Excel.
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Microsoft – PowerPoint for Windows Training |
Takes you to Microsoft website.
Very good tutorial videos for using PowerPoint.
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Microsoft – Word for Windows training |
Takes you to Microsoft website.
Very good tutorial video for using Word.
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Microsoft Teams |
Guide for using Microsoft Teams.
Quick start Microsoft Teams PDF guide. |
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/get-started-with-teams-quick-start
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Money Advice Service – The budget Planner |
Takes you to the Money Advice Service website.
Budget Planner puts you in control of your household spending and analyses your results to help you take control of your money.
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Money Advice Service Tools |
Takes you to the Money Advice Service website.
Calculators, letter templates and free printed guides – useful tools and resources to help you.
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www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/tools-and-calculators |
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Money Health Check – Financial health checker |
Takes you to the Money Advice Service website.
Free online financial health checker tool.
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Money manager for Universal Credit |
Takes you to the Money Advice Service website.
Money Manager is designed just for people on Universal Credit. You can use it whether you’re making a new claim or moving to Universal Credit from existing benefits.
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Money My Way |
Sign up to assist you with a budget, complete your advice session, or get your action plan.
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Money My Way – Attitude to money |
Learn My Way guide.
This page will help you to be aware of your own attitude to money and make changes if you need to. You'll be given some tasks to do and resources to try.
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Money My Way - Banking |
Learn My Way guide.
This page will help you to get to grips with the basics of banking, as well as banking online - which could be a great option if you're looking to save time!
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Money My Way - Benefits |
Learn My Way guide.
It's important to be aware of the different benefits and tax credits that are available so you know you're not missing out on anything you could be receiving; this page gives you information on this.
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Money My Way - Budgets |
Learn My Way guide.
This page is full of useful tools and resources to help you get your budget started. You can try as many of the tasks as you like at your own pace.
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Money My Way – Dealing with Debt |
Learn My Way guide.
This page is full of useful tasks, tools and resources to help you deal with debts in the best way you can.
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Money My Way – Money and work |
Learn My Way guide.
Whatever job you have, it can be tough to grasp the ins and outs of managing the money you have coming in, this page gives you information on this.
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Money My Way - Saving |
Learn My Way guide.
Saving money can be really tough, but it's worth it if you're looking to buy something a little bit more expensive than usual, or if you're finding yourself short of cash from month to month, this page gives you information on this.
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Money My Way - Shopping |
Learn My Way guide.
This page will give you an opportunity to find deals and discounts online, as well get tips on how you could change how you shop to save money!
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Money My Way – Spending priorities |
Learn My Way guide.
This page will help you to get to grips with which debts are most important.
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Money My Way – Unexpected events |
Learn My Way guide.
On this page, you'll find loads of useful links to tools and resources that will help you cope with things you didn't expect to happen. These events are split into categories to help you find the information you need as easily as possible.
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Money Saving Expert – Free Antivirus Software |
Advice for free antivirus software for PC or Mac. |
www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-anti-virus-software/ |
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National career Service |
Can search for careers.
Require an email address to chat.
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National Careers Service |
Can telephone or use web chat.
Advice from CV’s to interview tips.
Require an email address to chat.
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NHS find services near you (England) |
Symptom Checker.
Search for a GP/Dentist and more.
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Norton – Safety Tips: Using a Public Computer |
Information and videos on how to guides for Norton products. |
www.nortonsecurityonline.com/security-center/safety-tips-using-public-computer.html |
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NSPCC Net Aware – social networks your kids use |
Excellent website for parents/carers to find out safety information on social media websites. |
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On Guard Online – Understanding Mobile Apps |
Privacy, identity, and online security, plus scams explained with a video.
Good tutorials for advice on money, mortgages, car loans and scams.
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www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0018-understanding-mobile-apps |
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Sainsbury’s Bank – Guide to shopping safely online |
10 basic tips for online shopping, using mobile devices and security measures. |
www.sainsburysbank.co.uk/money-matters/shopping-safely-online
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Skype |
Skype Support guide for using Skype.
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Stay safe online – Top tips (Handout) |
Learn My Way pdf on how to stay safe online.
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The NHS website – Eat well |
Takes you to the NHS website.
Recipes and advice.
This page covers healthy eating advice for the general population.
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The NHS website - Exercise |
Takes you to the NHS website.
Advice on exercise.
Couch to 5K, home exercises and more.
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The NHS website – Mental wellbeing mood zone |
Takes you to the NHS website. Mental health and wellbeing information.
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UK Safer Internet Centre |
Online safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe online.
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Universal Credit – Checklist for couples – |
Learn My Way PDF.
This checklist is for couples applying for Universal Credit.
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www.learnmyway.com/files/Universal-Credit-checklist-for-couples.pdf |
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Universal Credit – checklist for individuals |
Learn My Way PDF.
This checklist is for people applying for Universal Credit as an individual.
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www.learnmyway.com/files/Universal-Credit-checklist-for-individuals.pdf |
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Universal Credit – Your Online Journal |
Learn My Way PDF.
Information About Universal Credit Online Journal. |
www.learnmyway.com/files/Universal-Credit-Your-Online-Journal.pdf |
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Use your voice - Voice box cafes |
Learn My Way guide.
You can make your voice heard by becoming more politically active.
You'll find resources and website links to help you get involved locally or nationally.
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WhatsApp website contains a guide on how to use WhatsApp.
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Zoom |
Guide for using Zoom. |
support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697-Getting-Started |