Welcome to the first iT4Communities charity newsletter of 2008.

Traditionally it's the time of year to take stock and make plans for the future. Although here at iT4Communities we've already abandoned our diets and fitness regimes we do have plenty of plans for bringing together charities and IT volunteers.

In the next few weeks we'll be making more efforts to market our services to both potential volunteers and to charities and community groups who need IT skills. We see it as a seesaw that we must keep balanced - the more volunteers we have the more opportunities we need to keep them all busy; the more charities and community groups we have the more volunteers we need. Eventually we want everyone to know about iT4Communities. You can help by passing on our details to any organisation you think might benefit from volunteer IT support.

You may already be aware that we're currently having our website reviewed by some experts. The aim of this is to see what improvements we can make to the site to make it easier to use. If you have any comments please let us know via email to info@it4communities.org.uk We'll pass on all comments to the reviewers and all suggestions will be considered for future improvements.

I hope you find this issue of the newsletter interesting - see below for a list of articles - and that you'll let us know what you think. We always love to hear from you.

Anne Donnelly - Newsletter Editor

---

In this issue:

Data protection - what you can and can't do
People are now realising how important it is for their personal information to be kept safely. Guest author, Rachel Burnett, President of the British Computer Society, has some advice.

REACH - bringing together voluntary organisations and volunteers with career skills
For over 25 years REACH has been bringing together voluntary organisations and volunteers with career skills.

New Research Shows More People Visit Charity Websites
New research by third sector think tank, nfpSynergy, shows that the number of people using charity websites had increased by a third in the past nine months.

Circuit riders
Can they help your organisation?

Broadband for the unwired and slow-wired
If you thought you couldn't get broadband in your area there may be a solution.

ICT Hub National Awards 2008
The deadline for nominations for these prestigious awards is Friday 8th February.

Express Link-Up
A charity and social enterprise providing second-hand computers to children's hospitals and to sick children in their homes.

Grants offered for children's charities
Children's charities are being invited to bid for three grants of £500,000 by BBC Children in Need and venture philanthropy organisation the Hunter Foundation.