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Digital Inclusion Wales

March 14, 2008 Posted by julzswitch in : e-society, Events, Technology, Guest Bloggers , trackback

Just back from a trip across the big bridge to the Digital Inclusion Wales Conference held at the All Nations Centre in Cardiff. I was asked to go along and present on the subject of ICT-based social enterprises, and found out that of the 180 registered delegates, 80 had opted for this workshop! Fortunately Simon Berry from RuralnetUk was also hosting a workshop on the subject so I didn’t have all 80 at once. Hopefully that’s an indication of the growth of interest in social enterprise as good business model for ICT services in future.

One of the benefits of sitting in on the conference was the opportunity to hear some truly inspirational stories from projects being supported in Wales by the www.communitiesatone.org programme. One in particular I found both moving and entertaining, and that was Sharron Morris from Rhys Radio - a woman with a mission and someone who recognised every inch of the way how much she has learned and how she has supported others!  Also Stephen Harmes from River Dee Community Church ICT Project - describing how engaging local people in a variety of ICT projects was helping to develop new activities and enterprise.  I am keen to share both projects with other people in my work in South West - excellent case studies to inspire other people.

And so my week as guest blogger draws to a close. Thank you Connecting Bristol for the opportunity. Hopefully some readers have found it useful, informative and encouraging. Good luck to Andy Martin with next week’s blog - I will look forward to reading about his work with Cancer Research UK.  You can keep on an eye on my work as Regional ICT Champion over on www.swict.wordpress.com and of course the day job which pays my wages over on www.cosmic.org.uk

Julie Harris, COSMIC

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Comments»

1. Paul Webster - March 14, 2008

Thanks Julie!
Left it until Friday before commenting, but that's just due to a hectic week, not that your other posts weren't worth commenting on.
Just like we work over the regional dotted lines within England - we don't have all the answers in Bristol, or across the South West and I'd like to see more opportunities for learning from each other including projects in Wales. (Welsh visitors to the Circuit Rider Conference showed me this too).
Oh, and don't be put off by negative blog comments - shows someone is reading it!

2. Andy - March 14, 2008

Thanks for the plug Julie. At least I have the weekend to work out what I'm going to say next week!