began in March 2005 and is designed to aid new and existing businesses in the areas of broadband, IT and web development. It achieves this through a range of activities and these are:
Offering free advisory service to businesses on broadband, IT, the Internet, Web development, e-commerce, e-business and training
Matching suppliers to business IT needs
Connecting Somerset is funded by variety of partners ranging from the European Union Social Fund and the South West Regional Development Agency, to Business Link, The Somerset Rural Renaissance Partnership and local government. To date the project has assisted about 1200 Somerset businesses and produced case study films of businesses using web technologies effectively.
The Engine Room
is Somerset's accessible community media centre and the base for the services of registered charity Somerset Film and Video Ltd. From the Engine Room they enable and undertake moving image projects across Somerset and the South West. The Engine Room offer aspirants and practitioners courses and seminars in many aspects of film related practice, an advisory/information service and drop in access to their training facilities. They also offer bursaries and work experience opportunities, often on one of our production projects are welcome newcomers to our services, irrespective of age, experience, gender or ethnicity. The Engine Room is committed to access and innovation, as the core principles of their operation.
Wired West
From the tip of Cornwall to the heights of Bristol, across the hills of Devon, and beyond the spires of Somerset, the South West and West of England boasts a rich and diverse community of ICT businesses, organisations, and academics. Wired West is a non-profit making organisation representing this thriving ICT community. Their stated aim is to give voice and visibility to their members.
