Digital skills - support and training

When it comes to digital skills and social media, there is lots of training, support and guidance available for voluntary organisations. See below for our round-up of useful organisations and support services:

Local support, training and advice:

- Many Libraries now offer in-person digital training and have computers available for you to use. Contact your local library to see what support they offer.

- Volunteer Centres often provide social media and digital training, so it’s worth contacting your local volunteer support service to see how they can help.

- Regular digital skills meet-ups take place in towns and cities across the country, some of which are specifically aimed at bringing people together that are involved in charities/community groups to exchange ideas and share best practice. The Charity Catalogue has a list of these meet-ups, which are coordinated by a range of organisations.

Digital skills training, national providers:

- National Council for Voluntary Organisations (England)

- Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

- Wales Council for Voluntary Action

- Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action

- The Wheel (Republic of Ireland)

- Google Digital Garage in Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow

Online support:

- Learn My Way free courses on using a computer, browsing the web, sending emails and finding work online.

- Digital Unite easy-to-follow guides designed to answer your digital questions and boost your digital confidence.

- The Charity Social Media Toolkit developed by Skills Platform, this useful guide takes a look at the elements required to ensure your organisation is successful online, with lots of useful case study examples and links.

- Tech soup articles, how-to’s and discounted products for not-for-profit organisations.

- Org Spring help for non-profits with tips and video tutorials on the latest non-profit web technology, including donor databases, online fundraising, website design, social media and more.

- The Charity Catalogue a website that aims to help non-profits easily discover the best online tools and resources to help make an impact. Here you’ll find tools that can help with marketing, storing information, selling tickets online and information on providers of discounted IT equipment.

- Get Safe Online information and advice on staying safe online.

- Small Charities Coalition links to guides, tools and useful services relevant to small charities keen to boost their digital skills.

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