Digital Outreach Ltd Community Outreach Programmes

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Digital Outreach Ltd - Community Outreach
Programmes

• Ian Agnew
• DigiTV Conference 12 Feb 09

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Encouraging the adoption of digital technology
among non-traditional users the role of Digital
Outreach

• Overcoming the challenges surrounding the use
  of digital TV among those least likely to feel
  comfortable with the new channels but most likely
  to benefit from services you can offer remotely.

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About Digital Outreach Ltd (DOL)

• We are a joint venture company, set up and owned
  by three of the countrys leading charities and a
  private company
• We believe that all people should have access to
  technologies and technology-based services that
  will have a positive impact on their lives.

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Digital TV Switchover and Community Outreach

• Digital UK recognised gap between people assisted
  by the Govts Help Scheme and those who manage
  with mainstream messaging/ advertising
• Commissioned Third Sector Partnership to deliver
  an outreach programme to maximise access to
  information and advice about switchover

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The DUK Switchover Community Outreach Programme
Target Groups

• Target groups include
• Older people
• People with sensory, mobility or dexterity
  impairments
• People with learning difficulties
• People who are socially isolated
• People who do not speak English as a first
  language
• People with mental health problems

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What We Do?

• Disseminate and embed messages, information and
  advice into the heart of local communities
• Target hard-to-reach sectors of the community
• Work through established, trusted, local
  Voluntary and Community Sector networks, achieve
  high levels of coverage and take up amongst
  target groups

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Our Approach

• Work exclusively with and through existing VCS
  organisations and networks in defined
  geographical areas
• Mobilise armies of skilled, experienced
  volunteers
• Provide training, materials and small grants to,
  and commission services from, local VCS
  organisations
• Able to target specific geographical areas,
  communities or groups of people
• Bespoke management toolkit online monitoring
  systems, web and face to face support

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How it Works (1)

• DSO 12-10 months
• Map numbers and spread of target groups
• Map existing VCS provision and our own VCS
  members
• Identify and approach key partner organisations
• Produce and agree operational delivery plan
• DSO 10-6 months
• Negotiate services agreements with key local
  partners
• Set up and promote training and grants programme
• Finalise deliverables and targets train local
  partners

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How it Works (2)

• DSO 6-1 months
• Mail information and DVD to all local VCS
  organisations promote training and grants
• Train local VCS staff and volunteer leaders
• Stimulate and grant-fund local events and visits
• Embed switchover message into community activity
• Monitor, review and promote additional activities
  as needed
• DSO 1 to 1 month
• Scale-up targeted activities
• Set up and run Advice Points at point of DSO
• Organise post DSO activities and visits

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Selkirk Transmitter Area (Scottish Borders)

• 1,800 sq/m 107,000 people 60,000 households
• Rural area small towns and villages, poor
  transport infrastructure Strong but disparate
  local VCS
• Highest proportion older people in Scotland (26
  over 60)
•  Outreach Programme (over 6 months)
• Over 700 charities, voluntary organisations,
  community groups engaged in programme
• 1,932 home visits completed
• 108 local events more than 3,000 people seen
• 7 Switchover Advice Points 520 people helped
• Positive Legacy VCS enthusiasm for digital
  inclusion

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Other Active (ITV) Regions

• Borders B (Cumbria, Isle of Man, Dumfries and
  Galloway)
• West Country (Devon, Cornwall, part Dorset)
• Wales (all)
• Granada (Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire,
  Lancashire, South Cumbria)
• West (Somerset, Bristol, Dorset)
• STV (Scotland planning and mapping stage)

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VCS Example - Birmingham

• 3,000 registered charities
• 300 social enterprises
• 11,000 staff and more than 10,000 volunteers
• Over 500 BME organisations
• These will typically be trusted, well-known
  locally-based organisations rooted in their
  communities, running a wide range of programmes.

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Your Questions