Most staff, volunteers or trustees are not ICT experts and at times may need help to get the most from equipment, a website or database..
Help may come from a volunteer, someone in the staff team with technical knowledge, a staff member with ICT support in their job description, or a paid-for contractor or consultant. Sometimes [...]

It’s important for senior managers and trustees to ensure good governance and management policies are in place covering legal responsibilities such as personal safety, data protection and health and safety. They must also help develop and implement strategic ICT plans to ensure the organisation has the resources and support it needs.
The ICT Champions have [...]

Development workers offer a great deal of help to groups by recognising a need to plan properly, encouraging people to budget properly when fundraising and being aware of suppliers who are trusted by other people in your local networks.
Some development workers may not be confident about ICT, and may not have detailed technical skills, but [...]

Most staff, volunteers or trustees are not ICT experts and at times may need help to get the most from equipment, a website or database.
Short-term help. As problems occur, in troubleshooting, quick fixes, short-cuts, reminders, contact with external suppliers or volunteers.
Medium-term help. Routine tasks, such as back-up, security, software, password management, file management, inventory and [...]

Potential risks related to ICT include risks to security, health and safety and financial stability. Information and valuable equipment may be lost, damaged or stolen. Or unauthorised people may gain access to sensitive information. Charities above a certain size must carry out risk assessments and may need to take technical advice to address ICT-related issues. [...]

Databases are commonly used for managing contacts, monitoring or fundraising. Some organisations have the expertise to develop their own database, but most buy a package off the shelf or ask a developer to build something to suit their needs.

A reliable back-up system protects your organisation when things go wrong. It is a vital ingredient in safe and secure ICT operations and can be installed and operated at relatively low cost. Although it is a technical issue it is the responsibility of trustees and manager to make sure that data is secure and the [...]

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for making computers and the internet accessible to people with disabilities. Talk to the person to identify their needs.

In terms of ICT accessibility is about making sure services and information can be used by a wide range of people. It is also about making adjustments to computer equipment to enable staff, volunteers and service users to be more productive.

ICT stands for Information and Communications Technology and is an umbrella term that covers computer hardware and software, the internet, mobile phones and the other computer-based tools and applications we use. Many people also refer to Information Technology, or IT, and the terms are usually taken to mean the same thing.

Video conferencing via the web can save you time and money if you have a computer and a broadband internet connection for each participant, a low cost video camera and a service to manage the connection. It can save travel time to meetings, or change contact from infrequent longer meetings to more frequent short meetings. [...]

Many third sector organisations exist to campaign on a particular cause. Whether it’s for something in your local community or tackling problems on a global scale ICT can help make your voice louder.

Computer equipment is rarely dangerous but the way it is used can be a hazard to the health of staff, service users and volunteers. The Health and Safety at Work Act lays down legal standards for computer equipment and requires employers to take steps to minimise risks for all workers.

‘Old’ media, such as newspapers and TV, is mainly about other people publishing information using expertise and tools that we can’t afford. ‘New’ media uses more accessible tools such as broadband connections and mobile phones and is creating a more interactive and participative culture. Web 2.0 is not a technical specification but suggests that we [...]

You can use a website to conduct a survey as part of any feedback or evaluation process where the participants have access to the internet. There are several services available, including free options, and all offer the ability to design the forms and analyse the results.