UKriders

A lot has changed in the voluntary sector technology landscape since the previous version of this guide was published two years ago. A huge investment was made through the ChangeUp agenda, the biggest ever in ICT infrastructure development, which significantly raised the importance of the issue. Circuit riding has become a familiar term in parts of the sector particularly since ChangeUp was originally launched in the Regions, by getting a specific mention as an appropriate solution. The ICT Hub has also highlighted circuit riding through the work we have been doing to build the network, support practitioners and promote the idea to frontline organisations around the country. Following this investment many ICT development workers, capacity builders with an ICT remit and individuals working primarily with the sector, have identified themselves as circuit riders. Now with the Suppliers Directory coming on stream it is easier to find this appropriate ICT support at a local level. Lasa has been working to support the circuit rider network for a number of years. Why do we do it? Simply, we want to help organisations access support that is flexible, affordable, and supplied in plain English by people who have the groups’ efficiency at heart. To continue this theme we will be looking into standards of work and establishing a training program for circuit riders in the next year. However, as we know there is still a lot of work to do. There are many organisations that are not in a transparent, trusting relationship with a supplier. In fact, it's usually the opposite. The essential investment in ICT as an infrastructure issue has started the ball rolling, but the sea change will only happen when frontline groups acknowledge that ICT needs facing realistically. Appropriate budget allocations must be made, and funders must accept the ongoing cost of ICT as necessary grant expenditure. We are getting there. Full Cost Recovery has helped by drawing attention to ICT as a true organisational cost in managers’ minds and there should be real improvements in the medium to long term. And circuit riders can keep up their end by continuing to raise awareness of ICT issues; brokering good relationships with technical support companies, keeping funders on board with the idea, building websites, fixing the printer....