Digital Participation:SCVO programme update

Lynne SwanDigital Participation Development Officer, SCVO

September 2014Digital Champions in Libraries Event

SCVO Digital Participation : ProgrammeScottish Government recognised that more intensive and coordinated activity was needed to break down the 3 key barriers to getting online:

• Lack of Access Lack of Skills Lack of motivation

To complement work being done within the Scottish Government Digital Directorate, SCVO was tasked with coordinating a programme aimed at:

• Helping more charities and voluntary organisations in Scotland to get online• Helping more people in Scotland to gain Basic Online Skills

Basic Online Skills (Go ON UK definition)

Digital Participation Charter

• Revised to define 5 key commitments for signatories:

1. All staff and volunteers given opportunity to learn basic online skills 2. All staff and volunteers encouraged to help other people and organisations3. Contribute resources and/or support for digital participation initiatives4. All efforts channelled through the Digital Participation Programme 5. Common language used e.g. “Basic Online Skills”

• Official re-launch mid October as part of Let’s Get On Campaign (Phase 1)• Charter Development Officer (Mary ) appointed to co-ordinate

• Library Services encourage their Local Authority / Trust to become a signatory• Library services support commitments

Let’s Get On

• National campaign to provide consistent, quality information about benefits of and activities relating to digital participation to organisations and citizens• Phase ( w/c 13th October) – national press campaign and provision of publicity

materials for use by partners to promote benefits / signpost opportunities • Phase 2 ( Spring 2015) – joint working with major retail organisation with network

of premises in high footfall areas where volunteers will offer one-to-one, drop-in, taster sessions

Phase 1, Library services can support the publicity campaignPhase 1 & 2, Digital Learning opportunities in Library services will be signposted

Let’s Get On Near You

• Postcode searchable online directory listing locations offering local support to learn Basic Online Skills• Located within the DigitalScotland website• Library information captured as part of earlier development phase• Will be expanded to include all registered community based learning locations• Will be updated to reflect basic online skill offering and new filters:• Re-launch w/c 13th October

• Libraries will be key element of learning service provision• Libraries can use the directory to assist in signposting services

Learnmyway

• Free online learning resources for Basic Online Skills from Tinder Foundation• Individual can learn at home / access point or via registered Ukonline centre• Offers an opportunity to provide a consistent learning product across Scotland• Accredited by SQA – Level 4 – “Computer Basics” (small charge)• Management Information available to those who register as learning centre• Further information will be provided by SCVO in early October• Libraries can register as UKonline centre and access management information• Libraries can register with SQA as “Computer Basics” assessment centre

Let’s Get Digital

• Part of larger 1-year ERDF business growth SCVO project which started 1st August giving 400 unemployed graduates opportunity for short, paid work experience• Digital Participation team are managing subset of project supporting our key aim

to increase digital capability in third sector• 60 third sector organisations will be assisted in each of:• Highlands & Islands• Lowlands & Uplands

• 2 SCVO co-ordinators support initiative (Bev, Inverness; Alistair, Edinburgh)• Graduates undertake a 6 week fulltime or 12 week part time placement• IT industry mentors recruited with support of ScotlandIS

Any OSCR registered organisation can apply

Digital Participation Challenge Fund

• New £200K p.a fund used to support community projects • Opens 13th October ( call 1), closes 14th November, awards announced mid Dec• Third sector organisations, sports & social clubs, arts & cultural clubs can apply• Via application and selection, small grants will be given ( max £10K) to support work which

will address a ‘digital’ gap e.g.• Digitising content• Building digital networks• Improving digital skills of members

• Focus will be on projects which support key demographics outlined in Carnegie Report• Charter Development Officer (Mary ) will co-ordinate

Library services may be able to apply or support an application

Get Involved

• Searchable online directory of over 40,000 charities and community groups across Scotland• www.getinvolved.org.uk• Can search on organisation name, location, activity type• Helps individuals / family/ professional find out what’s available either for support,

care or general interest within the local community.• Links to ALISS under discussion

• Libraries can use the directory to assist in signposting services

Digital Participation Events / Visits

• Digifest North – 7th October, Strathpeffer Pavilion (with HIE & RSE)http://www.scvo.org.uk/events/digiscotfest-north/

• Orkney ( 28th & 29th Oct )• Shetland (25th & 26th Nov)• Western Isles ( 24th & 25th Feb)• Oban (tbc)• Dumfries & Galloway (tbc)• Borders

Library services welcome to attend, suggest other events and/or assist with venues

To find out more………Visit our website: www.scvo.org.uk/news-campaigns-policy/campaigns/digital-participation/

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