Welcome

 

Welcome to the May edition of the iT4Communities newsletter and an especially warm welcome to all the new volunteers who have signed up with us recently. We've seen an increase in volunteer registrations over the last few months due to some nice coverage in the press. If you've recently signed up we hope that you've found some interesting opportunities to volunteer. If not, please get in touch and we'll be happy to answer any queries.

  • This week is Adult Learners Week and Friday 15th May is Silver Surfers' Day when organisations throughout the country encourage older people to learn a little about the internet. Many events are looking for volunteers to help and they would be grateful if you can spare a couple of hours. I'm going to be involved in a couple of events and I know that it's going to be great fun. Showing someone the miracle of the internet is immensely rewarding. You don't need any teaching experience, just a patient, friendly manner. We've some opportunities listed and you can learn more on the Digital Unite website.
  • The Lasa Circuit Riders conference will be held at IBM Bedfont, Feltham on Tuesday 9th June. The conference will offer practical, relevant solutions for small voluntary organisations and the people working with them. Our Operations Manager, Anne Stafford, will be presenting one of the sessions and would love to see you there. More details of the conference are on the Conference website. If you go along please say hello to Anne.
  • We're always looking to tell more charities and voluntary organisations about the work we do. Can you help? Perhaps you know of organisations local to you that need help. Or could you place a printed poster in a library, community building or volunteer centre nearby?
  • Do you enjoy writing about your volunteer experiences? Perhaps you are already blogging or twittering. Please mention us if you can. If you'd like to go further and have a regular column in a magazine about your volunteering please e-mail Anne Stafford for more details.
  • Did you know that the charities you are working for can access donated Microsoft software at: www.ctxchange.org/ , low cost/free hardware is also available and IT for Charities have a list. The Lasa KnowledgeBase has lots more useful info like this including reviews of charity software.
  • Thank you to Chris Miller who is running the London 10K run in July to raise money for iT4Communities if you would like to join him or support him please see www.justgiving.com/chris10k

Also in this issue:

As ever, if you've any comments about the newsletter or would like to contribute to the next issue please get in touch by calling 020 7796 2144 or e-mailing info@it4communities.org.uk. We'd love to hear from you.

Anne Donnelly, Newsletter editor