Community Website or Community Portals

What is it?

A community website or community portal usually unites people with a shared common interest. This common interest may well be a geographical link(e.g. a residents group, or even a ward) but it may also be a shared common interest such as a charitable cause or a health interest group.

Why bother with it?

Community websites provide an online presence for the communities that they serve.

They may be used simply to promote the presence of an interest group or they may be a source of news and local events, a place to express opinions and even consult on local views.

They provide local civic leaders with a valuable resource to understand local views and opinions and to take the "pulse" of the local community.

Where can I find out more about it?

Community portals at Icele provide a wealth of resources on community websites.

The Coalfield Forum an Area Forum supported by Sunderland City Council is an excellent example of a Community Portal supported by a Local Authority.