Future Digital Inclusion project update

Online Centres Network News Bulletin

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Thursday 21 January 2020

Hello <<First Name>>

At the end of last year, we received the news that our Future Digital Inclusion (FDI) contract with the Department for Education will end on 31 March 2021, and that DfE will not be re-tendering the FDI contract from this point. Officials were very clear that the decision is not related to the performance of Online Centres or Good Things Foundation in delivering the contract - they acknowledged we have all done a great job.

Since 2014, FDI has supported more than 1.5 million people to learn essential digital skills. While the news is disappointing for both us and our network, we will continue to work to influence the future direction of policy on digital inclusion and maximise the chances that more government funding is made available in the future. We will also focus on business development, to grow new partnerships and projects.

Learn My Way will continue to be available to our network of community partners, we will continue to support all Online Centres, and we will continue to seek funds for centre grants. Our work in partnership with Online Centres remains incredibly important. COVID-19 has exposed and exacerbated digital and social exclusion, and our mission is to work with you to help digitally excluded adults cross the digital divide.

If you have any questions or concerns about this, please do get in touch with your Network Specialist at hello@goodthingsfoundation.org.

WEBINAR: Using Learn My Way to Support Learners Remotely

NEW VOLUNTEERING WORKSHOPS

As part of our training programme, we’re running four new volunteering workshops throughout February and March. If you’re an organisation that uses volunteers then this is a great opportunity for you to gain extra knowledge around how to recruit and support volunteers, as well as the characteristics and qualities of a good volunteer. In our last workshop, we’ll also be exploring what a good volunteer handbook includes, to ensure your volunteers have all of the information they need to know before they begin their role.

Supporting volunteers remotely, Wednesday 10 February, 10.00-11.15am
Recruiting the right volunteer for you, Thursday 25 February, 10.00-11.15am
What makes a good digital volunteer, Wednesday 10 March, 10.00-11.15am
What a volunteer handbook should include, Thursday 18 March, 10.00-11.15am

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