Sustaining Switched On Communities

Do you provide ICT services to your local community? Do you have learners who find it difficult to use a computer, operate a mouse, keyboard or struggle to view the screen? Do you have learners with disabilities?

AbilityNet are looking for voluntary and community organisations to join the Sustaining Switched On Communities project within the East Midlands in 2009. Eleven VCOs will each receive a mini kit of adaptive hardware and assistive software worth over £500.00. Up to two of your representatives will receive training on using the kit, plus the opportunity to receive further training on specialised subjects such as supporting learners with dyslexia, visual impairments, physical disabilities, etc.

You will receive support from AbilityNet and the East Midlands Community Partner, Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living (LCIL), Leicester.  This includes advice, full assessments for individuals who need more specialised support and access to AbilityNet’s equipment loan bank. We aim to increase the capacity of your organisation, your services, your staff and volunteers to better support your local community.

If you would like to join the Sustaining Switched on Communities project or would like more information, please contact:

Alan Rowsell on 0116 222 5005 email alan.rowsell@lcil.org.uk or David Peake on 0116 222 5005 email david@lcil.org.uk alternatively the contact at AbilityNet is Vihing Lee email vihing.lee@abilitynet.org.uk on 0800 269545.

New Regional ICT Champion

Steve Webster has just been appointed as the new Regional ICT Champion for the East Midlands. As Steve reports: ‘The role of a regional champion is an interesting one. The post operates strategically by working with third sector infrastructure organisations across the East Midlands.’

Key aspects of the role include:
1. Working regionally and sub-regionally developing ICT strategies, and delivering initiatives to raise awareness of ICT amongst local infrastructure organisations.
2. Signposting third sector organisations to providers of practical ICT resources and services in their sub-region.
3. Working with existing ICT service providers to facilitate the sharing of best practice, e.g. on sustainability of services. Where limited coverage exists, providing support to local infrastructure to develop services to fill these gaps.

Prior to taking up the post, Steve has been working as an independent consultant undertaking a range of third sector research and evaluation projects, including ICT needs and models of support. Steve has also held a number of posts working directly within the sector, including work with key infrastructure organisations. Further, he gained a PhD from the University of Bradford, which explored the developing use of ICT by NGOs in the UK.

The best way to contact Steve is via:
Email: steve@highpeakcvs.org.uk
Phone: 07595 119182

Please note that Steve’s post, which is hosted by High Peak CVS, is part-time. Messages can also be left for Steve via the following administrative support number at High Peak CVS:
Direct dial: 01663 736432
Main tel line: 01663 735350 ext 232

CircuitRider principles / standards now published

The ICT Hub Circuit Rider Training and Standards Project, has carried out consultation with a wide range of CircuitRiders and other ICT voluntary sector professionals to formulate the Principles which are shown on www.lasa.org.uk/circuitriders/principles.shtml and are also available for download as a PDF. This is a significant step forward in advancing the Circuit Rider movement and one which help with a step towards enabling acceleration of professionalisation of the community.We would urge all those working in the sector to show their commitment by “signing up” to the principles. To sign up to the list of organisations and individuals who have made a commitment to work according to these principles, please email crprinciples@lasa.org.uk – your name, organisation (if appropriate) and web address will be published on the Circuit Rider Signatories page www.lasa.org.uk/circuitriders/signatories.shtml

An example of using Open Source

A great (if slightly long) video of a talk given by Robert Simpson, Director of Ecomoney Systems ltd, about the difference free Open Source software has had to the charity, community and voluntary sectors in their local area. It describes how to go about volunteering for IT in your area, what to expect, and the advantages of open source software into this unique sector. Also included are descriptions of local projects that Ecomoney has been involved with, including a ten-PC learning suite and cybercafe that was setup for just £30!  Worth a look…

News from ITEM3

I’ve started a new newsletter, “News from ITEM 3“, to help promote resources, events in the region etc. As well as being for frontline organisations to use, infrastructure organisations can “cut and paste” bits out of it for their own newsletters, use it in its entirety, email it out etc. The idea is that it is a flexible resource to help groups find out more about what IT can do for them. First edition can be downloaded here:

News from ITEM 3(as word doc, 65Kb)

Feedback welcome.

The Regional 3rd Sector IT Strategy

Tah-dah! The “early draft” of the regional ICT strategy, commissioned by the infrastructure steering group, managed by Engage East Midlands and jointly produced by High Peak CVS, VAL and PurpleZebra, is now available. It covers research into IT needs of frontline groups; research into funders views (or not!); how the sectors’ ICT needs “mesh” with the Regional Economic Strategy (and how to influence the RES!) and finally an action plan.

 You can download Draft 3rd sector ICT strategy here.

There is still more to do on the strategy, including completing case studies and the action plan. However, we would like comments from third sector organsiations (both frontline and ICT service deliverers) to help move the strategy on.

I presented the strategy at the Infrastructure Steering Group meeting in Melton Mowbray earlier in the week (nice lunch, with great pork pie!), along with an outline of the Regional Champions role. My presentation was well received (PowerPoint download) – I hope it wasn’t just that it was getting to the end of the morning and everyone wanted lunch!

Regional Projects Meeting

My first “public “meeting in my role as regional champion was arranging the meeting of ICT projects in the region. We have being meeting approximately every three months for the last year or so, to share ideas, network etc. The meeting yesterday was in Loughborough, hosted by Ray Smith and his team at LCC.

We had a good turnout, despite it being “holiday season”, including Andy and Terryfrom Ashfield Links; Alex from VAL; Andrew from PurpleZebra, Paul Webster from the hub, John Powderly. Issues discussed included:

• Current work the hub is undertaking (with Paul updating about the new unmet needs fund, SKiLD training workshops for development workers and the soon to be published ICT Good Management Guide)
• The regional champion mission and workplan
• Update on the regional ICT strategy
• Proposed CircuitRider accreditation

Minutes will be sent to those on the email list and are published here. Please let me know if you are not currently on the email group and want adding to it.

You found us!

Congratualtions, you’ve found us – ITEM3, the new microsite and “home” for the East Midlands ICT Regional Champion. As you can probably see, the site is still being developed, with lots of content and links to add. What’s the site for? I’m glad you asked! I’m hoping that it becomes a useful resource for groups and ICT practitioners across the region, as well as a way of demonstrating what I am doing and how it is making a difference. I’m also hoping that it will become interactive  -I’ll be asking for feedback about various issues as they occur and asking you to leave comments.