The transition to digital delivery was one of the biggest challenges the sector faced at the beginning of lockdown. As the crisis forced people to stop face to face services and move online, their expertise was in need more than ever. Our London Community Response Survey highlighted the challenges groups faced in terms of both access to the right equipment for staff, and digital skills.
We reached out to London’s civil society data and digital for good partners to understand how they were supporting organisations adapt to new ways of working.
It was clear that civil society had a significant need for digital support. To help manage demand, and support collaboration, we created a triage and connect system on london.gov that created a single-point of access. Our partners were able to pick up the cases on a central board, with a clear synopsis of what was needed. Organisations were connected quickly with support and we shared relevant and useful resources to support charities who were new to remote working and online service delivery.
The requests varied from website support, social media training, to developing online referral forms and using video conferencing tools. Alongside the form, we also hosted a weekly call for our DataBytes network to share updates on how services and programmes were being adapted or developed to respond to the needs of the sector.
Convening space for organisations doing great work, to stop and share for half an hour a week, in the chaotic time of responding to COVID-19, allowed for new connections to be formed, reflection on what was being delivered and identification of how we could support Civil Society to access relevant materials and support.
Whilst at the start of lockdown digital delivery was one of the biggest challenges, through the sector’s rapid response and agility it also became one of the biggest positive changes. In Week 8 of the London Community Response Survey increased use of tech was the most common positive change during the crisis identified by respondents. Organisations spoke about their ability to reach people they would not have been able to before and the increased flexibility for staff.
“An increase in digital service provision is more inclusive for some, for example those people who need a considerable amount of time and resources to travel due to disability. We recognise that online opportunities can act as one tool in increasing their opportunities to participate and also to access services. We will keep developing our digital offers where we can see the benefits, while finding solutions to digital exclusion.” Week 8 London Community Response Survey
As we move into recovery, digital and data capabilities for London’s Civil Society remain as important as before and during the crisis. There is a new recognition and commitment to improving civil society data and digital capabilities so London’s resilience is improved. We hope to reflect this in the London Recovery missions.
Shared below are links to the organisations we continue to work with in this space, who offer various tools, training and learnings which aim to support Civil Society develop the skills and access the resources needed to continue to deliver their fundamental work.
Digital and Data Support available for London’s Civil Society
CAST - CAST is a charity which helps people use digital for social good.
Catalyst - We’re here to radically improve how digital is used in charities.
CITA - The Charity IT Association (CITA) introduces charities looking to improve their technology capabilities to volunteers with appropriate IT skills and experience.
Covid Tech Support - We are a community of over 1500 digital volunteers supporting non-profits and communities worldwide who are affected by or tackling COVID-19 efforts.
Datakind UK - supports charities, local government and social enterprises to use data science. We run Office Hours, DataDive weekends focused on exploratory analysis and prototyping; and undertake ambitious DataCorps projects with nonprofits to deliver cutting-edge data science solutions.
Datawise London - Datawise London is a partnership programme of training, advice and support to help small charities and community organisations in London better use data to meet the needs of Londoners.
Superhighways - Superhighways offers advice, training and IT support to help small charities and community organisations across London be more effective, raise their profile and demonstrate their impact using digital technology.
Royal Statistical Society - Statisticians for Society was created to help statisticians offer their skills to charitable organisations and other socially useful initiatives.