ITEM3: East Midlands ICT Champion

In concert with the East Midlands Regional ICT Strategy to ‘Bridge the Digital Divide’ and boost the Third Sector’s ability to exploit ICT, the Lincolnshire Voluntary Sector Consortium has established a new ICT Development Officer post in order to promote the use of ICT in the voluntary sector across the county.

As the new incumbent I am delighted to take up this challenge and to see the vast range of worthy organisations in Lincolnshire utilising ICT to better improve their presence and to work ‘smarter’.  It’s not about burdensome and complex solutions that divert the Sector from its core business – it’s about helping organisations become more effective and efficient. 

A former BT technician, I have spent the majority of my career in numerous communications/IT related appointments in the Armed Forces.  Obviously the voluntary sector is a very different environment for me to understand and I have been immersing myself in the Sector in order to understand its ICT needs. 

A draft ICT Strategy for the Third Sector in Lincolnshire has now been established and I hope to issue the final version in early September 2008.  The strategy is based on ICT being a low priority for Third sector CEOs, with an associated lack of long-term ICT funding.  A lack of affordable ICT support, allied with a paucity of ICT advice and training also drives the direction taken.  The initial approach will be to UNDERSTAND the Third Sector, APPRAISE ICT capabilities and suppliers and FACILITATE opportunities for relevant ICT that improves the capacity of community and volunteer groups in Lincolnshire.

Initial project activity comprises publicity, informing the Sector via ICT bulletins and a web page, and engaging CEOs with ICT strategy. Further work in clarifying avenues for funding, ICT volunteers and training will inform later reports concerning ICT Helpdesk and ICT Social Enterprise options.   

MATT HOPKINS

Lincolnshire Countywide ICT Development Officer

C/O Lindum House, 10 Queen Street

Spilsby

Lincs PE23 5JE (01790 720000, mathewh@vael.org.uk)