Talk about 'it can help joins abilitynet'
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answer to J re: separate identity. The brand of IT Can Help is well known in many circles, volunteers, the people they work with and wider networks, including the BCS membership. It would be a shame to loose this identity and clear understanding of what IT Can Help offers.
Is there a need for IT Can Help to retain a separate identity from AbilityNet/iT4Communities ?
Answer to 5:
AbilityNet no longer sells hardware or software, only providing equipment on loan to disabled people during their free assessments, then providing them with recommendations for their equipment needs to take to AT suppliers
We expect that within Abilitynet, together with iT4Communities, there will in future be opportunities for volunteers to undertake a wider range of roles, some of which would involve working with AbilityNet in different ways. However, the role of IT Can Help and our volunteers will continue to be to offer free support to disabled people with computing problems at home or in day or residential care. We don’t believe this will cause a conflict of interest for people such as yourself. I’d be happy to talk over your concerns.
AbilityNet no longer sells hardware or software, only providing equipment on loan to disabled people during their free assessments, then providing them with recommendations for their equipment needs to take to AT suppliers
We expect that within Abilitynet, together with iT4Communities, there will in future be opportunities for volunteers to undertake a wider range of roles, some of which would involve working with AbilityNet in different ways. However, the role of IT Can Help and our volunteers will continue to be to offer free support to disabled people with computing problems at home or in day or residential care. We don’t believe this will cause a conflict of interest for people such as yourself. I’d be happy to talk over your concerns.
5. I have my own AT business and am sure I am totally comfortable with this new arrangement, I am afraid. I can fully understand why it works for IT Can Help but might have to reconsider my offer of volunteering.
Answer to 4: As you say, we have been struggling for years to become better known, and one reason for moving to Abilitynet is the hope that they are better placed than BCS to publicise our work to disabled people.
BCS is primarily a professional body for IT, whereas Abilitynet is a charity with the prime objective of supporting disabled peoples access to IT.
As you know, we have been working more closely with AbilityNet for some years.
The request for confidentiality came from both BCS and AbilityNet, who insisted that the discussions should not be made known until the Trustees of both Charities had discussed and approved the change,
BCS is primarily a professional body for IT, whereas Abilitynet is a charity with the prime objective of supporting disabled peoples access to IT.
As you know, we have been working more closely with AbilityNet for some years.
The request for confidentiality came from both BCS and AbilityNet, who insisted that the discussions should not be made known until the Trustees of both Charities had discussed and approved the change,
4. I have just received and read the PR (embargoed) about this move for IT Can Help.
We continue to operate - mostly volunteers who know that IT can help those with needs to operate and live their lives a little better - but we remain mostly unknown and have little to do. Its either feast or famine and so it seems pointless making great efforts to recruit more volunteers unless there is more to do.
Please can you or anyone explain why there is or was any need for confidentiality or secrecy over such a simple change?
We continue to operate - mostly volunteers who know that IT can help those with needs to operate and live their lives a little better - but we remain mostly unknown and have little to do. Its either feast or famine and so it seems pointless making great efforts to recruit more volunteers unless there is more to do.
Please can you or anyone explain why there is or was any need for confidentiality or secrecy over such a simple change?
Answer to 3: At present volunteers do not become BCS members. While the BCS Disability Group was in existence volunteers were given free membership of the DG and received Ability magazine. This ceased when the DG was disbanded, although the magazine is still available free to all who want it.
3. Will we still be members of the BCS?
Answer to 2: BCS has committed to AbilityNet to provide a level of funding for the first three years that is higher than it is likely it would have committed should IT Can Help have remained inside BCS. AbilityNet will need to engage in fundraising beyond the first year, and that fundraising will need to fully fund the activity after three years. BCS expect to be providing longer term 'in kind' support, but that is outside the agreement. They are expecting to review the situation annually AbilityNet has plans to seek additional funding to develop IT Can Help and other volunteering initiatives, and has experience of fundraising and dedicated fundraising, unlike BCS.
2. It sounds to me as a good idea - though I would like to know who will be funding us, if not BCS.
Answer to 1: Absolutely not, the MG had been discussing how we could grow and through talks with BCS, the possibility emerged that we could do this most effectively as part of Abilitynet, but with continued support and close relations with BCS, particularly through encouraging BCS members to volunteer.
Abiltynet will be recruiting an administrator to support us, and Chris will continue until the new person is in place.
Abiltynet will be recruiting an administrator to support us, and Chris will continue until the new person is in place.
1. Does this mean we have been expelled by BCS and are taking refuge elsewhere?
Two-thirds of my volunteers are members of BCS and recruited by local branches. They see it as BCS- I.T. Can Help.
Two-thirds of my volunteers are members of BCS and recruited by local branches. They see it as BCS- I.T. Can Help.