News

Kent Information Federation Closes on 28th February 2006

It is with great sadness that we confirm that Kent Information Federation (KIF), partners in the Room 102 database project, closed on 28th February due to a withdrawal in funding by KIF's core funder. The KIF staff and volunteer team were actively involved in the project from the start, and their impact on the Room 102 database cannot be understated.

To date no alternative editor for the Kent data held on Room 102 has been identified, although Room 102 continues to hold information about national organisations and about organisations and services in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

Room 102 would welcome discussions with any organisation that would like to take on the role of local editor for Kent. We are also looking for local editors for other areas in the England and Wales who will input and own information specific to their location, with the option to market Room 102 in their own areas. If you run an information project and are looking for an efficient and easy to use way to manage your information, Room 102 could be the fully integrated package that you are looking for. Please get in touch at sales@room102.org.uk or on 0117 958 9322.

Opening the Door to Information

Local organisations struggling to find information for local people can now use a new database to meet their needs.

Room 102 is a comprehensive, unique on-line database full of information about organisations providing services to people living in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Kent, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. It also includes a comprehensive data set of national organisations.

Room 102 has been developed by two charities, Kent Information Federation and The Care Forum (based in Bristol), organisations that have over 12 years experiences in collecting and providing information to people.

Room 102 aims to empower individuals make independent choices through the provision of comprehensive information about organisations that is of a high quality, up to date, accurate and includes information on accessibility. The provision of such information will promote social inclusion. Room 102 was launched to local organisations in October at the AGMs of both partners.

Room 102 is a first stop shop with information relating to the issues faced by everyone, everyday on subjects that may affect us all at some times in our lives. It contains regularly updated information and links to services that might otherwise be difficult to find. The database is split into two parts - national and local. Each local data set is maintained and updated by Room 102 editors ensuring the highest levels of accuracy and quality. The data includes comprehensive access information. The database can be accessed on-line, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

To achieve our aims, Room 102 is used by professionals to help people find the information and services they need. They rely on Room 102 for up to date quality information saving money and staff time.

Organisations pay nothing to be in Room 102 and each individual record is updated twice a year. Being in Room 102 provides organisations with free added exposure to a wide range of people and there are no hidden catches or costs. If you operate in one of the area outlined above and would like your organisation's details included click on include my organisation on the home page.

To access Room 102 you need to subscribe. There's a sliding scale of charges depending on whether you are a small or large organisation and we offer different prices for the voluntary, statutory and commercial sectors. Once subscribed you'll receive a user name and password, log in card and all the training you need to start using Room 102.

In the new year we will be starting to recruit local editors who will research, collect, input and update information on Room 102 about their local area and will then be able to sell access to that information on to local licence holders. We will also be making our national information available to national information providers.

Call 0117 9589322 or email sales@room102.org.uk for further information.