Web Connect
Web Connect is an ambitious community engagement project, comprising a network of local community websites.
The aim of Web Connect’s virtual communities is to empower local people through the provision of accessible, audience-appropriate services and information, along with innovative multimedia content provided by community members themselves.
Communites can use Web Connects easy-to-use technology which allows communities to manage and maintain their own web presence, ensuring that the content consistently reflects the communities served and is accessible to them.
Crucially, Web Connect is a two-way service: users are able to find information specific to their needs, and providers can easily reach those most likely to need their services or information.
Web Connect’s multi-format online content seeks to reduce social exclusion and promote community engagement by providing web content that is:
- accessible to all
- available in a range of formats
- relevant to the whole community
- created by the community
A Web Connect site can:
- create a sense of identity, place and belonging
- showcase the vibrancy of local areas and challenge people’s preconceptions
- promote and provide local opportunities, jobs and events
- allow local people through our community reporters programme to directly contribute to their communities by providing an outlet for innovative, community-based web content (e.g. video diaries and podcasts)
- improve and develop both ‘bonding’ and ‘bridging social capital’ between Greater Manchester’s diverse communities
- develop community cohesion whilst embracing diversity
- enable effective and inclusive participation of the community in decision making
- provide a means for relevant bodies and statutory agencies to gauge the opinions of the communities they serve
- help whole communities pull together and work towards common goals and purposes, such as sustainability and regeneration
To view Web Connect network and a full list of Web Connect members, visit our Web Connect Members page. From there you can access the latest updates across the network and visit other virtual communities.
Web Connect welcome requests from local community organisations who need help developing their own web content, or those with existing sites who would like to join Web Connect.
If you are interested in providing community-based multimedia content please look at our community reporters program. If you are interested in community advertising, local job opportunities or other information for the Web Connect network, please contact us.
If you would like to advertise on the mymanchester site, visit our Advertising Opportunities page.
Web Connect is also part of People Voice Media an MCIN project that is supporting communities by developing, marketing and distributing news, information and views through the use of social media.
Web Connect is a project part funded through the European Regional Development fund as part of the BB4C project with the MDDA.
