East London ICT Infrastructure
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Download the latest newsletter (september) in pdf format
ICT Support Service in the sub region
The East London CVS Network recognises that many voluntary organisations, especially small groups, find it difficult to manage their Information Technology and communication systems, and that ICT infrastructure is integral to the development of a thriving third sector.
Our aims are to:
- Increase ICT infrastructure resources through the provision of uniform ICT support focused on voluntary sector needs
- Improve knowledge and skills of voluntary serctor staff, managers and volunteers on ICT management
- Increase sector influence on local, regional and ICT policies and practices
- Improve voluntary and community sector [VCS] financial stability through more effective investment in ICT infrastructure and more efficient use of ICT to support service delivery
Context
With the East London sub region being the largest of the five sub regions to which London is currently split covering 9 boroughs and City, previous attempts to secure funding for ICT support for the whole Network proved unsuccessful. Therefore, a new approach was adopted which culminated in the sub region being divided into three mini hubs. The three mini hubs are made up a the following boroughs;
| South of the River | Central | Outer London |
|---|---|---|
| Bexley Greenwich Lewisham |
City Hackney Newham Tower Hamlets |
Barking and Dagenham Havering Redbridge |
Each mini hub identified a Council for Voluntary Service [CVS] to lead on
ICT development and explore how ICT support could be delivered across their
respective mini hubs.
The first of the three mini hubs to receive grant funding from the City Bridge
Trust was the Central mini hub. This funding enabled the appointment
of 1 full time circuit rider that with the assistance of a team of volunteers,
works across the Central mini hub to deliver ICT support, increase understanding
and awareness of ICT and help small to medium sized voluntary and community
organisations improve their ICT acumen.
The project also has a part time ICT co-ordinator that works with the ICT CVS
leads in the remaining two mini hubs, to help secure funding for the delivery
of ICT support to the VSC in those boroughs.
Sustainability
The Circuit rider model has been operating across London for approximately
4 years and whilst poplar, unfortunately it is an unsustainable mode for the
delivery of long term ICT support.
The circuit rider model is grant dependent with each circuit rider project
time limited to the length of its grant funding.
Whilst grant funding remains essential to ensure adequate ICT infrastructure
exists, its cannot remain the only source of funding by which ICT support services
can be delivered.
The Network is therefore exploring new ways of delivering sustainable ICT support
in the sub region such as delivery through a social enterprise model.
For more information about the ICT Project please visit the project website
Directory of services
We have compiled an 'ICT East London Directory' showing ICT support and service providers. You can download a copy here.
Some useful links
ICT Hub: http://www.icthub.org.uk/
Knowledgebase: http://www.icthubknowledgebase.org.uk/
Supplier's Directory: http://directory.icthub.org.uk/techfinder/icthub/index.cfm
Discussion Forums: http://forums.icthub.org.uk/index.php?5
London ICT Champion: http://www.lasa.org.uk/ictchampion/
Blog, "Promoting voluntary sector ICT": www.lasa.org.uk/ictchampion/
Collaborative working and ICT - FREE hard copies
Two publications produced jointly by the Collaborative Working Unit and the ICT Hub, previously only available online, are now available as free hard copies:
- ICT tools to support collaborative working identifies key areas where ICT may help your collaboration, especially for projects which involve multiple partners over large geographical distances. It examines a variety of ICT tools, looks at the benefits and pitfalls of each and is illustrated with case studies of voluntary and community sector experience of ICT.
- Collaborative working to make more effective use of ICT aims to inspire organisations to see collaboration as a potential solution to the ICT issues they face. The information explores areas where collaboration can offer a way of addressing ICT support needs, examines the pros and cons of each method, and introduces a range of case studies.
For copies, please email collaborate@ncvo-vol.org.uk or call 020 7520 2440.