The document discusses the progress and future plans of net:gain, a £1.2 million national programme running until March 2008. It has recruited and trained 40 support centres across the UK's 9 regions to build capacity for helping organizations improve through ICT planning. So far over 500 delegates from a wide range of organizations have participated. Early findings show centers struggle with multiple priorities and selling services, while delegates enjoy the training once participating. The future plans to continue supporting centers and recording outcomes, as well as submit an expression of interest to help deliver a national ICT support service post-March 2008.

1. Session 1.4 Achievements so far… … and the future Summary and Awards session

2. What is net:gain? £1.2 Million national ChangeUp Programme Running for 22 months to date Funded confirmed to March 2008 Using a franchise model to build capacity Developing local support centres and local markets Selling a support service to CEOs, trustees and managers net:gain helps organisations tackle ICT planning, linking to performance improvement

3. Donors Franchisor Franchisees Customers Programme structure TSO Beneficiaries TSO TSO TSO TSO Central team 50-60% of investment 30% of investment <10% of investment Additional £410K in grants £60K in mentoring

4. net:gain - progress so far We want to: Build capacity from the bottom up Help to grow locally sustainable provision Create a step-change in planning for improvement Focussing on where ICT can help … and where it can’t! So far: Recruited and trained 40 centres - all 9 regions 17 represented here today 560 delegates registered Year long support programme Seeing early impacts

5. net:gain centres - a wide range 2 CVSs 1 RCC 1 V/hall network 5 Dev Trusts 1 Foyer 7+ Community centres 3 Disability 6 BME/Faith 1 Women’s 8 CIC/Soc Ent 1 Environmental 12 Rural 28 Urban/mixed

6. Early findings : Centres We recruit and support existing VCOs wanting to develop trading But: Cost-tracking is still very under-developed Some struggle with multiple priorities Grants & bidding vs Contracts & trading Most hated the idea of ‘selling’ The programme has had to be very flexible!

7. Example: sales training

8. Sales increasing - tho’ most done centrally

9. Pathfinder & Paying registrations

10. Early findings: Delegates…. No-one wants to come: “ Wasn’t looking forward to training…” “ Didn’t know what to expect…” “ ICT isn’t really my thing…” “ It’s hard to make the time…” But they like it when they do: “ Found it interesting, to my surprise.” “ Really enjoyed this… really made me think.” “ Everyone left feeling motivated… two changes implemented within a week!”

11. Satisfaction ratings - delegates

12. Who are the delegates? ALL delegates to March 2007: Includes ‘pathfinder’ and paying

13. Early indications of a swing to smaller organisations Latest data on paying delegates

14. Internally more efficient processes more effective communications and trust happier, more productive staff & volunteers better available market information Externally increased likelihood of grant success increased likelihood of service contracts better-served clients! This is what ChangeUp is all about! ICT planning: impacts

15. The Future: to March 2008 Centres: Core of 20+ franchised centres With additional 20+ satellite venues Closer alignment with other support infrastructure Built through local action and partnerships Help centres to review their costs Re-structure our fees to them if required Help centres’ enterprise development eg cross-subsidy

16. The Future: to March 2008 Services to delegates Continued subsidised membership fee Particularly for small and medium orgs Set a wider range of achievable outcomes Record outcomes and impact Case studies Qualitative measures Performance improvement

17. The Future: post March 2008 Capacitybuilders’ National Support Service framework ICT is within Performance Expression of Interest -Summer 2007 Deliver a full franchise package to centres Operations manual Continuing marketing/sales service as required Build ICT expertise of centres and their staff Seeking support from Ufi and other funders Develop the franchise framework Local delivery of practical support Central role: co-ordination, learning, quality funding, support, training