News

The double issue July/August ICT Hub Newsletter looks at what you need in terms of ICT, and then offers some advice about what you can do about it.

The ICT Hub is planning a series of conferences for next year, aimed at addressing the ICT needs of different communities of interest.  Plans are underway for conferences targeted at people working in arts and youth organisations and also those organisations working with older people.  To suggest a topic for discussion or to find out more email louise.brown@icthub.org.uk.

As part of its 2007/08 business plan, the ICT Hub is commissioning work on telephony, open source and reaching the hardest to reach groups.The closing date for applications for each piece of work was Friday 15th June.

Presentations from the ICT Hub Conference in March are available on their website.

The ICT Hub Awards has selected winners and commended entrants from 130 applicants in the categories: Most Innovative Use of ICT; Most Accessible Organisation; Delivering Social or Environmental Benefits through ICT; Most Effective Use of ICT; Individual Contribution to ICT in the Voluntary Sector.

Regional ICT Champions are in place for each of the nine English regions to provide better resourced and connected infrastructure for championing support in ICT.

Research and reports about the way the voluntary sector uses ICT, or the best way to support its use, are wanted for a new baseline survey by Paul Ticher and Andrea Eaves. If you have produced any kind of written report on ICT in the sector, or if you know of something that is not on the ICT Hub web site, please contact Paul at paul@paulticher.com

A free online directory has been launched, which provides voluntary and community organisations with the means to find ICT companies who can provide them with technology services. All listed suppliers must demonstrate a positive track record of working in the voluntary and community sector. The directory can be searched or browsed by categories.

The ICT Hub Think Tank is made up of senior figures from across the new media industry, focusing on developing practical cost-effective solutions for issues faced by the voluntary and community sector. The panel welcome any ICT queries from the VCS and also wish to hear from people who would like to attend one of the Think Tank meetings to contribute and have one-to-one support.

A Discussion Forum allows comment on ICT issues. Current topics are: Discuss IT Volunteers, Funding, ICT in the Regions, Communicating with ICT and Discounted Products and Services.

Voluntary and Community Organisations can advertise their ICT Job Vacancies on the ICT Hub website.  Contact Michelle Edmundson at michelle.edmundson@icthub.org.uk or 020 7520 2445.

The ICT Connect scheme enables front-line voluntary and community organisations to explore their ICT needs by visiting another organisation that is using ICT well or in an innovative way.

The exchange visits programme for second tier organisations has places available. Infrastructure organisations looking to increase their provision of ICT services are facilitated to check their plans against another body that already has a good service model. Costs are covered for the visit and the host receives a consultancy fee.