Delivery of the Digital Pathfinders programme is well underway and we have about a year and a half of delivery left. So, here's a blog from our Partnerships and Projects Officer, Georgia, on what we've been up to (thanks to funding from Digital Catapult, North of Tyne Combined Authority and the National Lottery Community Fund), what we've learned and how you can get involved.
What we've been up to
Since my last blog, we've hosted:
- Cyber security for small charities with Mark Shilcock from Connected Voice
- Digital marketing workshops focused on branding with Danni Gilbert from Sail Creative
- The fundamentals of digital fundraising with Emily Casson from The Salvation Army
- Online mailings and e-bulletins best practice with Carrie Brookes
- Some bespoke workshops for the North East Family Arts Network with Richard Boggie and Nic Cook from Difference North East and Jan Debognies from Digital Voice CIC
Again, I'm so thankful for my role in the project because it has meant I get to attend all the sessions, absorb the knowledge and learn new skills. As the Partnerships and Projects Officer at VONNE, they've all come in handy with the different projects I've been involved with!
We've also been working with a pool of experts to deliver one-to-one support to tackle some organisation's challenges. The support we offer is fully funded and incredibly flexible. This allows organisations and experts to work together in whatever way suits them and makes the support really tailored to each organisation's needs.
Some organisations find it useful to have one hour check ins with an expert in between completing different tasks, others prefer block bookings to use for team workshops and larger pieces of work. Just whatever suits them. It's been really interesting to hear about different experiences of the support and how it has benefitted organisations to address their challenges.
"The programme did sound too good to be true, but for us it worked best because we knew what we wanted to change and we were at the point where it needed to. It has been an investment that really adds value. I can't see how this project wouldn't benefit anyone." - Helen Anderson, Blue Sky Trust.
What we've learned
Both organisations and experts really liked the programme model of an open workshop focused on a digital skill, followed by one-to-one support. It gives a good overview of a topic and baseline understanding before diving into deeper, more targeted work.
Having flexibility within the programme is really useful for organisations because if anything urgent comes up, like an application deadline, that can be factored into the one-to-one support. It has also meant we can provide bespoke events for networks of organisations with digital needs.
As part of my role within the programme, I introduce workshops, have initial meetings with organisations to start one to one support and facilitate meetings with organisations and experts once we've matched them. People value having me as a point of contact that they meet at different stages of the programme - it helps build relationships and means organisations feel comfortable getting in touch if they have any queries.
Get involved
If you've read this and thought, "Wow, this sounds amazing! It's so flexible and I can see how it could really benefit my organisation, where do I sign up?"
Visit the Digital Pathfinders website where you can register for the programme. If you need a hand with registering, just send me an email and I'll be able to help.
Registering for the programme allows you to access everything I've mentioned above - so make sure you don't miss out.
If you want to have a chat to find out more about the programme just get in touch and hopefully I'll see you in one-to-one support or at an event soon!