Digital Kent has one biggest networks of volunteer Digital Champions in the country. It aims to have more than 500 Champions across organisations ranging from community groups to businesses. But how do you run such a big, diverse network?
Network Background
Digital Kent is a county-wide initiative run by Kent County Council. The programme delivers in three main areas: devices, connectivity and skills.
The skills piece is delivered via a network of Digital Champions. It supports existing digital skills programmes and fills the gaps where there aren’t ones. This means working with a huge range of voluntary organisations and district councils as well as directly recruiting and managing volunteers who become Champions, who are matched with volunteering opportunities.
Running the network
We talked to Bryony Goble, the Volunteer Engagement Officer, who is responsible for the day-today running of digital champions. The are two kinds: "members", usually someone already involved in helping others with digital skills, often through a community group. And "volunteers" for whom Digital Kent find and manage volunteering opportunities. These are either at regular sessions, usually in libraries, called "digital hubs" or booked 1-2-1 sessions, when it's hard for the resident to get to the regular sessions.
Both kinds of champions get access to training, via our very own Digital Champions Network and to specially arranged sessions to help them deal with a range of issues. For example, Bryony has accessed training delivered by the NHS on using their app, and a session on accessibility and supporting people with learning disabilities via a local college.
There are regular networking events, virtually and in-person to share ideas and best practice, information about the local offer, and bring in new people who might want to get involved.
Being a Digital Champion has been an incredibly rewarding journey. Initially, I was under the impression that I needed to be an IT expert to make a difference, but I quickly realized that this wasn't the case. I've found that patience and a willingness to help are the most important qualities a Digital Champion can possess. By offering support with a compassionate heart, I've been able to make a real difference in the lives of others. This experience has been both fulfilling and eye-opening.
Tolu Fagbola
Digital Champion
What makes it work?
Once you've got champions, how do you keep them happy and fulfilled and ensure you're making an impact? Bryony says it's not rocket science! But it's all about taking time to make connections and there are no short-cuts.
- Talk to your champions about what they want from the role - what training and support and how frequently they can commit. Provide them with a good service!
- Know what’s going on in your community, who wants support - and who can provide it.
- Match those up in the best way for your community, because not everyone is going to work in the same way.
- A collaborative approach is crucial, especially with groups who are already active. It's about empowering people to do what they're good at not proscribing.
- Always remember it’s never just about digital skills. It’s “I used to do this thing and now it’s online and I don’t know what to do”. That’s what people need help with.
Recruiting Champions
This can be a challenge! And volunteers generally have a quicker turn-over than employees, so the numbers constantly need refreshing. Digital Kent found many volunteers via its outreach programme when setting up the Network, and people have started approaching them direct. These top tips come from Summer 2022, when Kent was just getting going and about to arrange their first meet-up...
Why be a member of the Digital Champions Network?
Every Champion has their own reasons - it might be the bite-sized learning, CPD accreditation and lesson planning resources.
For Bryony as a Project Manager, there are 3 clear benefits.
- Structured training for Champions.
- Recording of hours -which would difficult at scale across so many organisations and areas.
- Hearing what other people are doing with their networks and learning from that. Every local authority does digital inclusion differently - which means there's lots to learn from each other but it can be isolating!
Setting up a county-wide Network
Linking-up a digital inclusion network across a large and diverse county was always going to be challenging. Here's what Digital Kent learnt along the way
Recruiting Digital Champions
The one thing every project needs to do! Advice on finding Champions from some of our most experienced clients...
