Welcome as a new user of DirectSupport online!

To log in, you need a password. These are free to all UK online centres. Call 0800 026 0202 or click here to register.

DirectSupport Online will give you online mentoring, via the Experts Online service, will help you to network with other centres and with the regeneration sector, and will bring you news and information.

What is it?
DirectSupport Online is a group of information and advice services drawn together for UK online and other related centres. The services are run in a private area of the internet called an extranet (or sometimes an intranet). The private area is protected by a log-in, giving users confidence that they are dealing with known individuals and organisations, and creating a forum for trust-based relationships.

Who uses it?
Many of the services that make up DirectSupport Online are shared by other networks of regeneration workers. This helps to make the services sustainable, and provides links across the voluntary and community sector. The whole grouping of participating networks is known as Networks Online. Many users qualify for free or subsidised access, and free hands-on training sessions are run regularly in the Midlands. For DirectSupport Online users, we will also arrange free training and demonstrations elsewhere, or via telephone training on the freephone Helpline. The Networks Online grouping has been running successfully for five years, and has produced a unique online learning network for mutual support in the community and voluntary sector.

Who runs it?
The charity and social enterprise providing the shared services and the technical platform is ruralnet|uk, and a key partner is the Community Action Network (CAN) This gives a rich mix of rural and urban perspectives. Any participating network or project can use the Networks Online system to run their own services and private areas for their own members. We allow any network to brand parts of the system as their own, helping them to integrate services with their website, and tailor services to their own communication and information needs. We encourage and support self-management. Ufi and the DfES have commissioned ruralnet|uk and CAN, with other partners, to run DirectSupport Online as a free support service for UK online centres. DirectSupport also provides other services to UK online centres, under contract to UfI.

For an overview of DirectSupport Online click here

DirectSupport Online consists of four services, which you will see represented by four icons on your desktop when you log on. These services are driven through a mailbox. Open your mailbox to send messages to any forum, or to any external email address. Alternatively, visit any forum, and click New Message on the left hand menu bar to send an automatically addressed message to that forum.

	1. Experts Online Ask a question to get fast, high quality guidance.
	2. DS Exchange Chat or swap ideas and resources with the UK Online network.
	3. Introduce Yourself Meet the Networks Online community of regeneration workers.
	4. News Daily news bulletin on regeneration.