► What is Connexions Direct?
Connexions Direct is a service for young people aged 13-19, available via the internet or telephone. It is confidential so although they will take some details from you, you don’t have to give your real name, you will be asked your age and whether you’re male or female as this helps to tailor the advice they give.
Connexions Direct will not share any information about you with anyone outside their service unless you or someone else is at risk.
Many Connexions Direct advisers have previous experience of working directly with young people, but they will not be able to meet with you. If you would prefer to talk to someone face to face contact the nearest Connexions Centre. Advisers give good general advice about a whole range of subjects but if your query is related to something legal, medical, etc, they may recommend that you contact a specialist service.
Advisers may suggest that you speak to a Personal Adviser in person, in County Durham they would (with your permission) contact your nearest Connexions Centre or give you the details so that you can contact them yourself.
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► Ways of using Connexions Direct
| The website: www.connexions-direct.com has lots of useful information to help you. This is arranged in categories such as: Careers, Learning, Health, Housing; Free Time, Work, Money, Relationships, Your Rights and Travel. It has links to other sources of information and sections such as ‘frequently asked questions’. Particularly useful in the careers section is the Jobs4u database of careers information which has up to date, accurate, detailed careers information on hundreds of jobs and careers. |
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► CONTACT A CONNEXIONS ADVISOR
For more information on how to use these communications channels click the icon on the Connexions Direct homepage
► Telephone
Calls to Connexions Direct on 080 800 13219 are not free from mobile phones so if you phone on this number and give the adviser your mobile number they will call you back.
► Textphone
If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech difficulties, you may choose to use e-mail or adviser online, but you can also contact a connexions direct adviser using the textphone. The number for this is 08000 968 336.
► Text
If you want simple information, you can send a text to Connexions Direct on 07766 413 219. You will not be able to send picture files and because texts are short, if your question is complicated it may be easier to phone or email an adviser.
► Adviser Online
When you visit the Connexions Direct homepage you can select the option to speak to an adviser online. You will be asked to complete a short personal details screen and then click the adviser online button. You will then be connected for a one to one web chat with an adviser. This service can sometimes be busy so a queuing system is in place, the adviser will get to you as soon as they are free.
If you e-mail in a question an adviser will send you an answer within 24 hours. You will have to give them some contact details so that they can e-mail you back.
► Moderated message boards and adviser cam
To use either the message boards or the adviser cam you must first register and set up a user name and password, this makes you part of a ‘community’. Community members can post messages on any of the topics being discussed. If you want to start a new topic you can do so. Messages are moderated so nothing rude or offensive gets posted but also so you don’t accidentally give personal details out. One of the chat rooms available is the Adviser Cam Session where you can talk directly to and see an adviser. Your adviser can help you set this session up.
