Greetings from Tower Hamlets!
I’m Jonathan Garcia, your friendly neighbour Digital Development Officer, here to guide you through the evolving labyrinth of digital transformation. As someone who has one foot in the analog world and another in the digital realm, I know the terrain can often be treacherous. The winds of change howl fiercely, and navigating these challenges often feels like threading through a maze without a map.
But here’s the catch: The labyrinth is ever-changing, and the old maps? Well, they’re charming keepsakes. That’s why we’ve initiated the Tower Hamlets CVS (not-so) Digital Programme. While the world rushes to digitize every interaction, we’re taking a step back to look at how we can harmoniously blend the digital with the traditional. And believe me, there’s room for both to coexist.
Inspired by my own journey—from the vibrant culture of Venezuela and the depth of Spanish heritage to the technological frontiers of modern-day London—I’ve always believed in the richness of diversity. This programme aims to empower our local community groups, social enterprises, and charities, especially those hailing from ethnic minority backgrounds, to break the digital divide.
But we’re not just about learning how to click and scroll; we’re about understanding the essence of digital transformation. The key to navigating this evolving landscape isn’t just about tools and software; it’s about mindset, adaptability, and dare I say, a bit of soul-searching.
In upcoming editions of this blog series, you’ll hear from THCVS fantastic team, as they bring you their unique perspectives and specialized insights. Trust me, they’re the true wizards behind the curtains.
And if you’re curious about the ongoing dialogue between humanity and technology, stay tuned for my AI-assisted narrative, “HumAIns in THR1V3″—a tale where the present moment isn’t a ticking clock but an eternal landscape of possibilities.
Until next time, keep exploring, keep questioning, and remember: Your journey to digital transformation starts not with a click, but with a mindset.
Jonathan Garcia
Digital Development Officer
Tower Hamlets Equalities Hub Coordinator
Charity Digital Skills Report 2023 - Unveiling the Digital Landscape
Charity Digital Skills Report 2023 by Zoe Amar Digital, Catalyst, and Think Social Tech
Digital Strategy: The report uncovers a decline in strategic digital approaches from 56% in 2022 to 48% currently. While there is this drop, an overwhelming 78% still prioritize digital, with the top future priority being the enhancement of their online presence.
Digital Adaptation Amidst the Cost of Living Crisis: One of the prominent challenges faced by charities is the rising cost of living, with 27% of respondents believing it poses a significant hurdle to their digital transition. As budgets tighten, there are observed decreases in spending on digital tools, staff upskilling, and even internal projects. Interestingly, 39% are considering digital methods to enhance efficiency, suggesting that while the cost-of-living crisis is a challenge, it’s also an opportunity for charities to innovate and rethink their digital strategies.
Emerging Tech Trends: The report highlights that many charities feel they’re lagging behind current digital trends, like TikTok and ChatGPT. However, interest in emerging tech, such as AI and ChatGPT, has shot up to 66% from a mere 15% in 2022. But, 32% of respondents are cautious, expressing concerns over the potential impact of automation on employment.
Small Charities: Recruitment has been particularly affected by the cost of living crisis, with 9% putting a freeze on digital roles. This crisis has had a more profound effect on organizations in the early stages of their digital journey. On the brighter side, smaller charities appear to be more adaptable in terms of work models, with a larger percentage choosing to operate entirely remotely.
Tower Hamlets CVS (not-so) Digital Programme
As we navigate the digital challenges presented, I’m thrilled to announce the Tower Hamlets CVS (not-so) Digital Programme – a unique initiative that emphasizes in-person training, a stark contrast to the prevailing digital trend for video and online meetings. This programme and the upcoming workshops signify our commitment to empower every community group or small charity, with the right tools and knowledge. Your journey to digital mastery begins here!
Cybersecurity for Small Groups and Charities
Date & Time: 18th October 2023, 10 am to 12 pm
Location: The Green House
Drawing inspiration from the National Cyber Security Centre’s recommendations for small charities, this training promises a human touch, limited to just 10 participants, to ensure everyone gains personalized insights.
Agenda:
- Backing up your data
- Protecting your charity from malware
- Safeguarding smartphones and tablets
- Using passwords to defend your data
- Warding off phishing attacks
Building an Online Presence for your Group or Charity
Date & Time: 16th November 2023, 10 am to 12 pm
Location: The Green House
In today’s digital environment, having a robust online presence isn’t just an advantage – it’s essential. Whether you’re a building a community group from scratch or a small charity giving it’s first steps, understanding the digital landscape can elevate your outreach, impact, and growth.
Join us for this interactive workshop where we’ll dive into the importance of an online identity and its role in your organisation’s mission, key strategies and resources available for community groups and small charities free or a discounted price and practical steps to build and enhance your online footprint.
Don’t let the digital world pass you by. Equip your organization with the tools and insights needed to stand out online and make a lasting impact. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to refine your current online strategy, this workshop is designed to empower you at every stage of your digital journey.
Agenda:
- Why it’s crucial to establish an online footprint
- Simple steps to promote your group safely on the web
- A guide to the resources available for your organization
Future plans – Digital Transformation workshops
I am also excited to share that, in 2024, we are launching a comprehensive series of workshops called “Digital Transformation”. This series is designed for small community groups in early stages of using digital tools, with limited resources and are eager to delve into productivity tools, Artificial Intelligence, and an array of topics in the digital and tech realm.
If your organization is ready to leap forward into the future, eager to embrace the world of digital and technology, reach out to me! Join us in this transformative journey to ensure we harness the power of digital to its fullest. Your feedback and participation will be instrumental in shaping the direction of these workshops.
Digital Burnout – The Understated Productivity Nemesis
The relentless wave of digital connectivity can overwhelm even the best of us. Look out for signs of persistent fatigue, limited creativity, and irritability among your peers and offer a helping hand!.
I’ve found that encouraging regular screen breaks, short walks outdoors or at work, setting clear boundaries for online work, and ensuring we’re not always ‘plugged in’ can truly help maintain my digital well-being.
To gain a deeper understanding, I recommend the podcast “Crisis Control: Burnout in the Charity Sector” by Charity Digital. The episode, hosted by Josie Sparling and featuring insights from Alice Roche, Chiara Simmons-Wood, and Laura Stanley, delves deep into the stress challenges we face and offers ideas for the future.
As our charity sector in Tower Hamlets continues to evolve and adapt, I believe in the power of understanding and leveraging these digital tools, all while ensuring the well-being of our incredible workforce. By facing these digital challenges head-on, I am confident we can innovate, serve, and amplify our positive impact in our vibrant community.
For more insights, tools, and community tales, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter here.
If your organisation is looking to dive deeper into the digital realm, I invite you to get in touch with me directly about our upcoming workshops on “Digital Transformation.” Together, we’ll explore productivity tools, Artificial Intelligence, and delve into an array of pertinent digital and technological topics. Together, let’s transform Tower Hamlets into a stronghold of digital resilience and innovation in the charitable sector!.
The content for the above blog including the text and images has been generated with the aid of Artificial Intelligence or AI.
This is an example of how digital tools can be used to maximise productivity and capacity. We are planning a series of workshops based around this topic which will involve groups actually using the technology to complete a task.