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The Third Sector can benefit from ICT to communicate, to promote its projects and to improve its business processes in a low cost way. Colin told his audience that you can buy Microsoft Office for only £11 now if you are a voluntary sector organisation, so software overheads are no longer the barrier that they used to be.

It is a question of using ICT as a tool to shape the society that we want to have.

Click here for a further report on Colin’s session.

Anne Stratton, the manager, signed up for the net:gain programme after they had a major system crash which resulted in them losing data. Anne said, “We were looking to apply our IT more effectively. We had grown up with an ad hoc system as a new organisation and it was going from bad to worse.”

As a result of completing the 10 steps of the programme CAB has already implemented improvements to their management systems and diary and alert system. Anne has valued the opportunity to take time out, to stand back and look at how to make improvements.

You can download the full case study here (pdf)

Register now for net:gain

When Peter Lennard took up the role of Head of Finance and Facilities he quickly identified the need to develop an IT strategy with a clear link to the business plan.

During the net:gain programme he benefited from the structured process for developing an IT strategy which would link their requirements to the priorities of the organisation.

Peter’s top tips for success:

• Allocate plenty of time for the programme
• Set deadlines for each stage
• Get as much support as you can
• Efficiency will only be achieved with full commitment.

You can download the full case study here (pdf)

Register now for net:gain

All users are able to ask questions, which are promptly answered by one of the forum experts.

Experts Online is not an automated help menu, but a panel of real people with specialist expertise who will interpret and understand your question, and reply usually within 24 hours. Experts Online is part of the Networks Online group of VCS services, and has been running since 2002.

As a net:gain delegate, you will receive unlimited access to Experts Online for 12 months.

Register now for net:gain

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.

The programme is supported by a wide range of other stakeholders including:

• Government departments and the Government Offices in the Regions
• regional and sub-regional consortia working to further ChangeUp
• UK online centres working to deliver the net:gain programme locally
• other stakeholders and funders

ruralnet|uk
ruralnet|uk is an independent rural regeneration charity (Charity number 1089238) and a Company Ltd by Guarantee (Company Number 4276312). It operates as a Social Enterprise and through its subsidiary, RNUK Ltd (Company number 4275701), it delivers, usually with partners, both urban and urban/rural VCS support initiatives, usually employing ICT, and encouraging take-up and innovation in ICT. It brings to net:gain the experience of both rural and urban regeneration and community development, particularly by using and building on existing networks and infrastructure, such as UK online centres, and the shared Experts Online service. Since 2000, it has led the DirectSupport Consortium, offering support services and mentoring to UK online centres.

ruralnet|uk seeks practical ways to provide strategic ICT expertise and share ICT experience and services, as evidenced by its extension of the ruralnet|online service to over 20 other networks, rural and urban, who may brand it as their own. It also runs xPRESS news, and a range of other services.

The organisation has won several awards and citations in Good Practice Guides, including two e-commerce Awards (2002, 2004) in the West Midlands, an award for Sustainable ICT in the national e-wellbeing Awards (2002), and shortlisting for the national Social Enterprise Coalition awards (2006).

Ufi
Ufi Charitable Trust is an independent charitable company limited by guarantee, which operates under the brand name learndirect in England, Wales and Northern Ireland .

One of the government’s key partners in delivering the workforce development and lifelong learning agendas, Ufi is responsible for the network of 6000 UK online centres and over 1400 learndirect centres. It aims to drive up demand for learning, help adults improve their employability by acquiring new knowledge and skills, and help businesses become more competitive. Further information is at www.ufi.com.

Funding Matters
Funding Matters is a small consultancy that provides funding information advice and guidance to government departments and agencies, VCS intermediaries and Neighbourhood Learning & UK online centres. The Funding Matters service focuses on ICT-related Social Inclusion, Learning and Regeneration. Funding Matters has been a consultant to the DfES and LSC on matters relating to the development of UK online centres.

The Foyer Federation
The Foyer Federation is the national umbrella body for Foyers in the UK . Foyers provide an integrated service, including accommodation, support and access to training and employment opportunities, for homeless and disadvantaged 16-25 year olds. The Foyer Federation has developed a network of UK online centres in 50 Foyers across England. The Federation has substantial expertise in organisational development and quality assurance.

• demonstrate to funders and stakeholders that your ICT plans link into your mission and offer direct benefit to those you serve
• understand and harness the potential of ICT for your organisation, to inform current and future plans
• identify areas where ICT can improve business practices and service delivery
• identify people who can help you
• understand the full costs of ICT ownership, and put in place plans to cover these
• say NO to ICT options that do not fit your strategy and your priorities
• get the most out of any ICT investment you decide to make

• a whole year’s access to a support network
• a reference guide on how to develop their own ICT plan
• templates and planning tools that will help them make changes happen
• mentoring and advice

The mix of services offered will depend on your local market need, and on maximizing local opportunities and partnerships. This approach helps to develop support programmes which offer  exactly what local VCOs want, which include other offers in the area, and which give each net:gain centre the chance to develop a sustainable, income-generating service for the future, as the VCO market for ICT services matures.