Superhighways

Building the ICT capacity of voluntary and community organisations,

enabling more efficient and effective service delivery to the community

katewhite@superhighways.org.uk

Background

10 years old! Survived & developed via a variety of funding

streams (LSC, Community Fund, ChangeUp, City Bridge Trust, Capacity Builders…)

Transitioning to a hybrid Social Enterprise

Circuit Rider project – what does this mean?

Social Objectives1. To provide a range of tailored services to enable the sector to fully

harness the benefits of ICT

2. To enable financial gains to the voluntary and community sector 

3. To build knowledge / skills / confidence so that organisations can better use ICT  

4. To promote and practically support best practice in use and management of ICT 

5. To involve local communities and stakeholders in development and delivery of our services

6. To provide structured practical experience and learning opportunities for volunteers 

7. To adopt and promote sustainable service delivery that is environmentally, socially and ethically responsible

8. To provide mutual support and sustainability for other voluntary sector projects and social enterprises

Enabling financial gains Activities Who Output

targetsOutcome targets

P M tools Links

a) Raise awareness of charity discounts available and signpost to suppliers

b) Contract & purchase appraisal – to ensure local VCO’s receive value for money contracts, services and products from other ICT providers

c) Promote use of technologies to reduce operational costs

d) Upskill staff to improve efficiency within VCO’s, leading to more cost effective operation

e) Support wider use of ICT by VCO’s to improve fundraising and income generation opportunities

f) Signpost the sector to other best value ICT based services and products

g) Explore and appraise viability of Open Source Software

Our support services

Awareness raising Troubleshooting ICT Audits, Healthchecks & Strategy

development Procurement / funding advice Technical installations Customised training

Delivery - phone, email, onsite + remote access

Benefits to organisations

Frontline organisations• Mix of strategic and hands on support

• Understanding of voluntary & community sector

• Cross cutting impact - administration, communication, service delivery, monitoring & evaluation etc

Infrastructure organisations

• All of the above!

• Adding value to capacity building / community development activities

Funding models

Direct funding for Superhighways support delivery

Funding via local infrastructure projects Funding linked to funding Income generation Commissioning / procurement

opportunities? Loans?

Thames Community Foundation

As part of our Grassroots Grants funding programme Thames Community Foundation has been seeking innovative ways to build capacity in smaller community and voluntary organisations.

As Grassroots will help groups fund the purchase of capital items such as computers we have been keen to involve Superhighways in advising groups on IT purchase strategies, IT security and software issues and have agreed to consider providing additional funding to applicant groups who may want to join the Superhighways membership scheme but lack the  cash resources to do so.

Our membership model

Annual tiered subscription • Healthcheck• 4 onsite half day PM visits • Helpdesk (available to all – members prioritised)• Discounted hourly rate & training

Impacts• Additional capacity / resource needs created• Managing expectations• Formalised relationships• Fairer service

1st year of trading (Aug 07 – July 08)

Membership circa £21k - 45 organisations

Hourly rates / consultancy circa £30k - including CVS contracts

Team averaging 3.5 full time equivalents

Thoughts to finish on…

Sustainable models Working capital requirement Added value of holistic services Capacity building the community Circuit Rider support environment Co-ordinated approach across London