Debbie RossCommunity IT Programme and Relationship ManagerSunderland City Council

Sunderland - a Partnership Approach

Debbie RossCommunity IT Programme & Relationship ManagerSunderland City Council

Community IT – Promoting Digital Inclusion

• Engage local people and provide access to new technologies and skills • Actively promote the use of, and facilitates access to, ICT within the City

working closely with the Voluntary & Community Sector and other Partners

• Support local people to take a pro-active role • Assist the Voluntary and Community Sector to develop community based,

community owned ICT provision• Champion the use of technology as a powerful tool for the Voluntary &

Community Sector• Building digital capacity for both individuals and communities and

empowering them by enabling access to a world of information, knowledge, skills and opportunities.

Evolution of Community IT• 2002 e-Neighbourhoods Programme Launched

– Electronic Village Halls– Community e-Champions– Community of Interest Websites

• 2003 Beacon Status – Social Inclusion Through ICT• 2005 First Gentoo / Council Partnership EVH delivered• 2006 Members Mainstream e-Neighbourhoods Programme• 2006 Winner of the Digital Challenge Programme• 2007 – 2010 Delivery of Digital Challenge• 2010 Beacon Status - Digital Inclusion• 2011 Community IT continue the legacy of e-Neighbourhoods & Digital

Challenge Programmes

Community IT Services

• Electronic Village Halls (EVHs)• Community e-Champions• Communities of Interest Websites• Film & Media• Equipment Loan• Strategic Engagement & Event Support• e-Voting facilitation• Online Networking (Flash & Hexagon)• Community Service Level Agreements (paid service)

Core Principles

• Partnerships • Engagement • Empowerment • Respect & Common Goals• Accessibility• Flexibility and responsiveness • Equality & Diversity• Capacity Building & Learning• Teach not Do • Ownership & Governance

Digital Inclusion & Social Housing- A Partnership Approach

• Gentoo– Location– Capital Outlay, On-going connectivity and Overheads– Resident engagement/liaison

• Council (Community IT Team)– Technical Support– Community Engagement / Event Support & Facilitation– e-Champion identification & Support– VCS Networking

• Voluntary & Community Sector– Outreach Training Provision– Resident Signposting

Case Study: Lakeside Estate

Outcomes

• Cross Community Dialogue• Increased Volunteering• Raised awareness and aspirations • Skills development• Increased Participation in Democratic Process

Enabled targeted engagement• Social Inclusion benefits & networking• Educational attainment• Supporting Channel Shift & IAG Strategies

Sunderland Partnership Approach - CSFs

• Flexible Partnership arrangements• Community Engagement & Consultation• Trusted Intermediaries • e-Champions (Digital Champions) • On-going facilitation and technical support• Service Desk / Helpdesk Support• Include the Voluntary & Community Sector

Thank you!

www.sunderland.gov.uk/communityit

Debbie.ross@sunderland.gov.uk