net:gain
What is net:gain?
The net:gain programme will help Voluntary and Community Organisations (VCOs) understand how their objectives can be advanced through the strategic use of ICT. Rather than investing in technology in the hope of becoming more efficient, the net:gain programme will enable VCOs to examine how they share information and identify where ICT can bring efficiencies and improve service delivery.
http://www.net-gain.org.uk/about.htm
Who is net:gain?
The service is being developed and co-ordinated nationally by Ruralnet and is being delivered through UK Online Centres. So far just 16 centres have been awarded development contracts – see here for the geographical areas and centres
http://www.net-gain.org.uk/map.htm
COSMIC has already been in contact with the other centre in the South West – Learning Curve in Wiltshire, and has agreed to develop a model whereby we will work in the South South West – Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, and they will cover the North South West – Bristol, Gloucester, Swindon, Wiltshire. As new net:gain centres are appointed this geographic coverage will be reviewed.
Who can benefit from the net:gain programme?
Senior managers, Chief Executives, trustees and anyone involved in the strategic direction of their organisation.
How will it work?
The organisations will be able to sign up to a 12 month membership of the service targeted at individuals (leaders and decision makers) within the organisations; this may include Chief Officers, Trustees or Managers. It aims to help managers to understand how ICT can support the organisation’s mission, business processes and client services. The service will blend existing good practice, with flexibility to respond to local markets and should be designed on existing local partnerships to ensure a good fit with regional plans. The cost of the subscription will be dependent on the size of the VCO, with higher subsidy level for smaller VCOs -
Turnover up to £10k per year - annual subscription = £40
Turnover up to £100k per year - annual subscription = £150
Turnoverover £100k per year - annual subscription = £350
Overview of the Service
These are the elements to the service which VCOs gain through their membership :
- Awareness Events - promotion and recruitment to the service
- Practical ICT Strategy Workshops - key ICT planning techniques, showcasing ICT applications, signposting to national and regional work
- ICT Planning Workbooks - framework and templates to plan and check progress in planning effective use of ICT
- Mentoring - support through ICT 'surgeries', telephone and online support
- Peer-to-peer support - establishing a 'buddy' system for VCOs to support each other
- Local Membership benefits - discounts for other services offered by COSMIC
- National Membership benefits - subscription includes access to Experts Online service - www.ruralnetuk.org/experts/
Timescale
COSMIC has been awarded a development grant which will run from now until end of April 2006 to enable us to set up, train staff and promote the new service. A key activity in this period will be to establish strong working relationships with key VCOs in the region. The main service delivery will start in April 2006
Any questions – contact Julie Harris – julie@cosmic.org.uk or 01404 813226