Friday 14th March was the Digital Inclusion Wales Conference held at the All Nations Centre in Cardiff. I was asked to go along and present on the subject of ICT-based social enterprises, and found out that of the 180 registered delegates, 80 had opted for this workshop! Fortunately Simon Berry from RuralnetUk was also hosting a workshop on the subject so I didn’t have all 80 at once. Hopefully that’s an indication of the growth of interest in social enterprise as good business model for ICT services in future.

One of the benefits of sitting in on the conference was the opportunity to hear some truly inspirational stories from projects being supported in Wales by the www.communitiesatone.org programme. One in particular I found both moving and entertaining, and that was Sharron Morris from Rhys Radio – a woman with a mission and someone who recognised every inch of the way how much she has learned and how she has supported others!  Also Stephen Harmes from River Dee Community Church ICT Project – describing how engaging local people in a variety of ICT projects was helping to develop new activities and enterprise.  I am keen to share both projects with other people in my work in South West – excellent case studies to inspire other people.