VONNE

Progress

In order to save you having to scroll down to the bottom of the page to get the latest updates, I'll keep the progress at the top and the history and background etc. further down for those finding the reminder helpful.

• We knew that only when we had an accurate picture of what current ICT support currently exists for the hard to reach (H2R) groups, would we be in a position to show what degree of change happens as a result of this projects interventions and support offered.

• A terms of reference was shaped and agreed by the Stakeholders Group and this can be viewed at the link in the right-hand column.

• Research was commissioned into the ICT issues, needs and aspirations of H2R groups in our region and those Infrastructure Organisations that support them. The consultants awarded the commission were Richardson Howarth LLP. Towards the end of the project in March 2011, the research will be repeated as part of an independent, external evaluation to verify the scale of change.

• The research reports are available to view and/or download at the links in the right-hand column of this page.  The researchers were certainly thorough, they ran 7 focus groups attended by 90 front-line group representatives. They interviewed on a 1-1 basis; 12 front-line groups, 13 Infrastructure Organisations and 6 ICT support organisations.

• An ICT Stakeholders Group meeting took place on the 17th June 09 to review the research findings and recommendations. The meeting was an important one as it strove to illicit thoughts from stakeholders and infrastructure organisation representatives as to how the project should prioritise and put into effect the 5 main recommendations.

• The minutes of this groups meetings can be viewed at the link in the right-hand column.

• Not everyone could attend the meeting above of course, so I now need to get broader thoughts on the reports, the conclusions and chiefly - the recommendations. What do you make of them and how do we move them forward? Is there anything not there that you would have wished to see included? Vote in this on-line poll! It's easy, just a couple of clicks!

• Progress and shaping of the project and its work is also discussed on our VONNE ICT Forums Page (link on the right). Or email me of course. Again, anyone is welcome to contribute their thoughts.
• Tender documents are now posted online here ICT Tenders

Background

The Regional ICT Champion is working on a Capacitybuilders Improving Reach project to improve the ICT support, networking and signposting services offered by infrastructure organisations to four distinct hard to reach (H2R) groups.

• black and minority ethnic groups,
• refugee and migrant groups,
• faith groups and
• isolated rural groups.

The primary outcome of this project must be that senior staff, trustees and managers of smaller organisations and H2R infrastructure organisations serving these groups, will fully understand the strategic benefits of ICT for effective planning and communication of their individual and collective voices.

Rationale

Generally speaking, this project will examine the reasons why these groups have not accessed ICT services, identify their needs, map current support provision, and design, commission and deliver support specifically aimed to address the needs and issues that are raised.

Areas Being Examined

What's important for these groups right now? Is it attention to the basics like ensuring there are ICT Strategies in place, sufficient insurance of equipment, safeguarding of data, basic training in using the latest off-the-shelf business software etc? Is lack of accessible broadband holding the majority of them back? Do they just need cheap, new equipment and affordable ICT technical support?

And how much difference to day-to-day organisational running, now and in the foreseeable future, do the 'new' technologies matter? How do they feel about the Web 2.0 tools and their applications - confused, indifferent, excited? This is in reference to social networking tools like LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, BeBo etc. Then there are Forums, Blogs, Wikis, and image (photo) sharing sites like Flickr, Social Bookmarking tools, RSS feeds and even mobile communications such as Twitter.

So we started by asking....

• How many H2R front line organisations are currently operating within the North East;
• How many H2R Infrastructure Organisations within the North East are currently providing support;
• What is the geographical location within the region (by postcode) of these organisations;
• What level of ICT support is offered by the Infrastructure Organisations;
• What kind of ICT support needs not currently available or accessible were identified;
• What other barriers are there to accessing any ICT support currently on offer.

And our progress continues as recorded above.

N.B. Please note that it is not within the scope of this commission to make any assessment of the performance of existing Infrastructure Organisations.