net:gain

The case for investment in the ICT infrastructure of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) is already well-proven. The Cross-cutting Review of Voluntary Sector Service Provision in 2002 identified a need to provide additional ICT support across the sector, to help organisations to use ICT to maximum effect. Since then, there has been much research into the specific ICT support needs of the sector, particularly by the ICT Hub and other stakeholders in ChangeUp.

The development of net:gain is based on the following key findings from the consultation run by the Active Community Unit of the Home Office in 2003:

‘There is very little ICT specialist provision available to VCOs… Most organisations consequently fail to take full advantage of the benefits offered by ICT.’
‘…there should be investment in specialist VCS infrastructure which would ensure the availability of face-to-face advice, guidance, technical support and some limited training.’
‘A lack of strategic understanding of ICT at senior management and trustee level of VCS organisations; many organisations do not have an ICT strategy or an ICT budget.’
‘Economies of scale need to be considered and some infrastructure services might best be provided across more than one local authority area - for example, specialist support for ICT.’
there are ‘few sources of advice which are knowledgeable about both ICT and the specific demands of the VCS.’

net:gain’s own research in 2004 confirmed:

• poor awareness of the range of options for covering ICT costs, and how to go about planning for this
• willingness, regardless of organisation size, to engage in strategic planning for ICT
• a tendency in the sector to prefer trusted intermediaries, such as local, informal, peer support, face-to-face help
• the need for a flexible service that can fill gaps, signpost and adapt to different needs
• any service must offer high added-value, to ensure a willingness among VCOs to dedicate time and money to the process

All of these aspects have been built into the net:gain offer.