A major piece of research, commissioned by Media Trust, reveals there is an opportunity for Community Voices to add real value to current media activities within disadvantaged and isolated communities. We spoke to numerous community groups and stake holders through surveys and in depth consultations about how they use digital media within their community. The research aimed to get an overview of the success stories as well as identifying some of the biggest barriers that prevent disadvantaged communities from finding their voice. It demonstrated that there is a wide range of digital media already being used but there are also a number of challenges around information sharing and knowledge exchange, which has resulted in a lot of reinventing the wheel and a lack of sustainability.

In understanding how digital media can be both relevant to the community and can help empower the community itself, the report cautioned against a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Community Voices aims to address these barriers and build a lasting and sustainable legacy by inspiring communities to use digital media, engaging with them to develop the skills required to access the technology, and empowering them to take ownership of their voice and make themselves heard.

Download the research report.

A new computer aimed at people aged over 60 who are unfamiliar with PCs and the internet has been unveiled. The simplified Linux-based desktop – called SimplicITy – has just six buttons directing users to basic tasks such as e-mail and chat.

Read the story on the BBC website.

Digital communications agency Precedent Communications is offering £30,000-worth of its services as a competition prize for charities. The prize includes a new website, training and a digital strategy. To enter, Precedent is asking charities to post short videos on YouTube. Full details on the competition microsite.

Communications charity the Media Trust is also offering prizes to the runners-up, including free training in digital media.

A reminder first about the Knowledgebase system run by our friends over at LASA in London – its an excellent resource for third sector ICT generally and a great reference guide for all sorts of issues, so if you havent already used it, bookmarked it and recommended it to others please do!   www.ictknowledgebase.org.uk

Also, the system now incorporates a Forums section where discussions are already active on a range of subjects from ICT management to training, budgeting to social media and more.   www.ictknowledgebase.org.uk/forums

In September 2009 Microsoft launched a major employability initiative, Britain Works.  Through a series of partnerships with charities, community learning centres, and public authorities, they are aiming to help half a million people into jobs over the next three years in the areas of the economy that will lead the recovery. These will be digital jobs, requiring the use of computer skills, and will be in a range of industries from manufacturing to services and the IT industry itself.

Many third sector organisations play a vital role in supporting people in the UK to improve their lives by providing skills development and employment support services. As part of the Britain Works initiative, Microsoft is establishing a programme of in-kind support for voluntary organisations working in the field of IT skills and employability.

Microsoft would like to invite you to a briefing event in London on Monday 7^th December 2009 where you can find out more about how to join the Britain Works NGO Programme and the many benefits your organisation and the people you support could receive. There will be a keynote from Microsoft executives and we will be running workshops during the day on the following:

1.    Microsoft skills and qualifications for your learners’ journey.

2.    How to access funding streams.

3.    Bringing the benefits of technology to your organisation.

The event is intended for UK registered charities who currently provide (or plan to provide) IT skills development/training to  support and guide individuals into employment.  As well as announcing the details of the programme, the event will provide you with information and ideas to use in developing your IT skills and employability services.

To register for the event you can go here

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to present to the Enterprise Campaign Coalition meeting held at Google last Friday. It was an excellent chance to talk about social enterprise, our work at COSMIC and some of our projects including the Regional ICT Champion work and how important that is in encouraging third sector organisations to embrace new ICT and online systems.

A full report from the event is here www.socialenterpriseambbasadors.org.uk

I’ve been invited to be a guest blogger on Unltd World this week as part of their SHOUT out for Social Enterprise campaign. I’ve used the opportunity to encourage a debate about social enterprise delivering ICT support for third sector. Please join in here

http://unltdworld.com

The Nominet Trust, which was created in January 2008, with the declared aim of funding innovative Internet projects that make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people, primarily in terms of education, safety and inclusion, has announced that it has made its first grants. Organisations that have been funded include:

• The British Computer Society of the Blind
• Cambridge Global Grid for Learning
• Cambridge Library Learning Service
• Children, Internet Society
• Youthnet

The Trust was initially awarded £5 million from Nominet, the Internet registry for UK domains and will provide grants to organisations that can show that their innovative IT-related projects can make a positive difference to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups – in the UK, developing countries and around the world.

Organisations wishing to apply need initially to complete and online eligibility questionnaire.

Those organisations deemed successful will be provided with a link to a more detailed application form. Grant application will be considered by the board of trustees.

They will next meet in November 2009.

Applicants will hear from the Trust in the month following each meeting.

http://www.nominettrust.org.uk/index.php

Individuals clubs and organisations, etc, in rural areas that need access to information and services, are able to purchase fully functioning ex-government computers for as little as £99. The computers are being made available through the Arthur Rank Centre. This is a collaborative unit supported by the National Churches, the Royal Agricultural Society of England and the Rank Foundation. For organisations that need more than one computer; e.g. for a Drop-in centre, School etc. the prices are even lower.

http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/projects/computers_for_rural_people/index.html

As part of its White Paper, “The Learning Revolution” the Government is inviting local partnerships in disadvantaged communities to apply for funding of up to £30,000 to promote informal adult learning through locally based Community Learning Champion (CLC) initiatives. The funding aims to support the establishment of new Community Learning Champions schemes in areas where there is a high level of need. It can also support Community Learning Champions schemes that focus their work on particular groups who are currently excluded from learning. It will support schemes that will work to increase participation in informal learning among adults aged 19+. A Community Learning Champion promotes the value of learning to others – friends, relatives, and workmates – and encourages them to get involved. A Community Learning Champion is often someone who has experienced learning that has made a positive change in their own life. The funding is available to public, private and voluntary and third sector organisations working in partnerships.

The closing date for applications is the 28th October 2009.

For more information on which areas in England are eligible to apply and how to make an application please click on the link below.

http://www.communitylearningchampions.org.uk/development_fund.php