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Digital skills partnership Catalyst is matching technology experts with charities to improve areas such as strategy, community action and getting the most out of platforms, including LinkedIn.
Charities are being offered free coaching from technology experts as part of an initiative being organised by the digital skills partnership Catalyst.
The one-hour coaching sessions are being made available through the training initiative Digital Candle, which has been developed by consultancy Platypus Digital and Catalyst, the charity initiative set up last year to boost digital skills.
So far almost 100 digital experts have signed up to offer their advice for free and the service is looking for more to come forward.
To gain advice, charity leaders are being urged to register their interest with Digital Candle and detail what areas of technology and digital skills they want to learn about.
Addressing digital apathy
The coaching service has been launched in response to findings from last year’s Lloyds Digital Charity Index, which found that almost half (46 per cent) of charity leaders didn’t see digital as relevant to their organisation.
“When I read the Lloyds report I was surprised,” said Platypus Digital Director Matt Collins.
“I felt something had to be done to change that 46 per cent stat in the 2020 report. The response has been amazing. Digital Candle has been overwhelmed with digital experts wanting to help.”
Digital strategy has emerged as a key focus of the requests for help received so far. Others include using digital to cut red tape and better supporting community action.
Advice on getting the most out of LinkedIn and Google Ad Grants are among other topics mentioned by charities that have approached coaches.
When charity leaders sign up Digital Candle looks to match them with particular experts in the specific area they need help.
The Catalyst partnership was set up by digital social chance charity CAST with £1.6m of government funding in July.
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