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Increasing numbers of
corporate socially-minded (CSR) organisations are seeking out this
compelling ecosystem-based initiative to achieve significantly more
meaningful 3rd Sector inclusive skills outcomes.
Scotland's 'Tech for Good Alliance' has developed a suite of IT-based
skills for disadvantaged groups - especially charities - growing in
significance as they continue to struggle post-COVID-19. Hang on! The
pandemic was years ago. Surely old news? Not really.
New cases continue to crop up daily in Asia where, it is believed, the
pandemic started. Serving as a wee reminder we cannot rest on our
laurels, cyber or otherwise. The BBC has reported a new variant which,
it is hoped, vaccines will deal with.
Tech for Good Alliance — Scottish Tech Army
A SOBERING READ
In a follow-up to a late summer tech commentary I produced for the
Institute of Directors (Scotland) I highlight how "The Lifestyle of a
Charity" report by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
makes for a sobering read.
Of around 800 charities set up annually in Scotland as of 2022, 600 were
wound up or dissolved ranging from small community groups right up to
big household names.
To this day it's all about survival of declining numbers of such vital
community-based bodies with pressing needs in uncertain economic times.
Business and commerce is being called up on to increasingly step up to
give a vital helping hand through its corporate social responsibilities.
An essay I wrote for Scottish Review emphasised how an IT "building
block" approach can engage folks, either within a charity itself along
with those who have never shown an interest before in such causes.
Digital upskilling of both staff and volunteers leads to a real appetite
to engage online along with the more traditional face-to-face services,
resulting in better care all round.
Alistair Forbes
Impactful Solutions at
Scale
It is here the Tech for Good Alliance is standing out. With its mantra
"social impact through technology", developed organically out of the
Scottish Tech Army and co-founded in 2020 by Edinburgh entrepreneurial
duo Alistair Forbes and Peter Jaco, attracting more than 3000 registered
volunteers and supporting around 400 organisations to date.
Alistair, formerly head of software and internet at Mercia Technologies,
told me the alliance was formed in 2022 and is rapidly proving essential
to CSR-minded organisations throughout Britain, as they respond to
digital challenges faced by many charities since the first UK-wide
pandemic lockdown.
The alliance has developed a proven framework delivering impactful
solutions at scale., enabling organisations - irrespective of size - to
achieve significantly more from their corporate social objectives.
"The Alliance is all about social impact through technology, to
accelerate the development of our ecosystem helping business and its CSR
projects aid charities across the UK."
Digital Check In Tool
Technology solutions supporting such aims are centred on environmental,
social and governance programmes and commitments. Partners include The
Data Lab, GoCodeGreen and techUK - each playing a crucial role in the
ecosystem and strengthening the alliance's mission.
Also a recent collaboration with Slade Gardens Adventure Playground in
London's Lambeth involved independent volunteers and teams from PwC and
Lloyds Banking Group.
PwC prototyped an early-stage version and Lloyds developed a digital
check in tool that captures all necessary information needed to inform
stakeholders, at the same time freeing up staff to support children and
families using the community resource.
The tool was designed by volunteers at the banking group very much with
scale in mind and is now being deployed to three further charities
across the UK.
Kirsty McIntosh, a "First Responder" to the Scottish Tech Army, and now
Executive Director of the Tech Alliance for Good, explains they are
building on the army's extensive experience and a proven framework with
efforts through three critical pillars.
These are: advancing social justice, inclusion and equality, skills and
talent development, and environment and climate change.
CSR Transformative Deeply Integrated Skills
A key objective is to double the alliance's capacity by encouraging
technology-related companies to commit just one per cent of their
employees' time to tech for good projects.
Such a move transforms CSR into a deeply integrated - skills-based -
contribution, one that directly aligns with companies' environmental,
social and governance (ESG) goals.
"Our mission is clear, to drive positive social change and value by
connecting the vast expertise of the tech sector with pressing needs of
the 3rd Sector."
Our Team — Scottish Tech Army
Kirsty McIntosh
A key point in a
programme's sustainability is the benefits are not just one-sided, as
such volunteering provides opportunities for employees to further
enhance their skills and expertise.
Time and time again, it is reported how it is enormously satisfying to
see the impact they have reflecting well, not just on the employee but
also on employer. Furthermore, in the process, helping attract, develop
and retain staff.
Bottom line? Tech for Good Alliance represents a stand out gold-plated
CSR-based initiative for organisations that aim build a digital
infrastructure fostering greater efficiencies across the third sector... |
