Need help to ‘go digital’?

20th September 2022

Voluntary and community organisations in Essex are invited to apply for funding to develop and improve their digital services.

The ‘Digital Grants Programme’, which is managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF), helps voluntary organisations to make use of digital technology and improve the experience their beneficiaries have.

Since the Programme launched, nearly £200,000 has been awarded to organisations across Essex.

The Programme has now reopened for its third year and will not only provide funding to help improve how an organisation operates or how people access help and support via digital platforms, but it will also create a network of organisations in Essex that have an interest in developing their use of digital platforms.

Through this Programme, organisations have been able to improve their websites, introduce CRM systems and databases, launch new ways people can access help including through online appointments, and upskill staff and volunteers.

Among the charities to receive funding previously are Hearing Help Essex. Their grant of £21,000 helped them to digitally transform their appointment and referral system, improving how people with hearing impairment or loss access support and advice.

Another organisation, Essex Blind Charity, received £9,265 to help redevelop their mobile IT infrastructure and CRM system. Jonathan Dixon, General Manager of Essex Blind Charity, said: “It has truly transformed the way we work and how we can support people with a visual impairment. Our referrals are often newly diagnosed people who are struggling to come to terms with their sight loss.

“We visit them in their homes and our new CRM system, purchased with this grant, means we can collect client information all one place, and as it is cloud based, the whole team can access it both on the move and at the same time.

“This grant has helped us to support people in a timely manner, capturing all their needs with minimal fuss and being able to recall that information with ease.”

Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the digital gap across the voluntary and community sector, and through our conversations with our grant partners, we can see the need to continue this Programme.

“We are happy to consider applications for simple digital solutions, but also welcome innovative projects. Understandably, digital projects can take some time to implement, so multi-year grants are possible too.

“The average grant from this Programme is £9,500 and I encourage you to speak with our grants team about your digital project before applying.”

ECF are keen for organisations involved to collaborate with others that have received funding, and will make introductions with others under this programme, where they can share their learning and hear from digital experts.

The deadline to apply to this funding programme has now passed. If you are in need of funding for a digital project, please call our grants team on 01245 356018 to discuss your ideas in advance of applying.