Case study - The Chaseley Trust

One of the most important requirements of any IT project is sustainability. The system needs to continue working long after the IT expert has moved on. This is particularly true of projects in the community and voluntary sector where funds aren't available to pay for a consultant every time a little tweak is required.

The Chaseley Trust wanted a brand new website but knew that they'd need to maintain it themselves. Volunteer Bob Hawthorne was able to show them a software package to make it easy for them.

Project Aim

To set up a website to ensure information about The Chaseley Trust was available to the widest possible audience. This was instigated by the Trust's part-time employed fundraiser, Christine Ellis who, after finding the costs of employing a professional web designer prohibitive, realised she would have to find a way to do it herself, but did not have the necessary expertise.

Project Delivery

Through iT4Communities Bob Hawthorne, a registered volunteer, was put in touch with Christine, and Bob travelled from his base in Portsmouth to Eastbourne, to show a new software that might be suitable. It was agreed it would be perfect for the job, and he installed it on the relevant computer there and then, and arranged the software licence and the domain name registration. The only cost to Chaseley was the software licence (WebAlive) and domain name registration.

Lessons Learnt

Bob was key in providing the knowledge of this software programme that enabled Christine to produce Chaseley's website herself, and update it regularly. It was also comforting to know he would continue to be there for advice and back up if needed. 

I can't see how this process could have been improved upon, other than doing it sooner!  There are some limitations to the software in that it might not suit everyone's needs, and some organisations would require a tailor-made programme, but for those who require a fairly straight forward, low-cost website, it is ideal.

Outcomes

The charity now has a website up and running to raise its profile, and time will tell if it will also provide a tool to encourage on-line donations.

Result

Please visit the website at www.chaseley.org.uk