about the ICTconsortiumNI

The ICT Consortium is a collective of representatives from organisations within the voluntary and community sector who aim to support and promote the strategic use of ICT within the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland.

The Consortium first came together in 2004 with a view to finding out what the ICT issues were in the community voluntary sector and finding a way of supporting the sector to be strategic in its use of ICT.

Consortium members

The current consortium members are:

Advice NI

AdviceNI wants to deliver a well resourced, innovative and professional advice sector capable of meeting the full range of information, advice and advocacy needs of individuals and communities throughout Northern Ireland. We provide leadership, representation and support to our members to facilitate the delivery of high quality, sustainable advice services.

Age Concern

Age Concern Northern Ireland is a charity working with and for older people in Northern Ireland. Our main activities are:-

• Campaigning and lobbying – we highlight issues which affect older people and influence decision makers in relation to policy and practice
• Advice and information provision - we run an Advice Line which offers callers free, confidential and impartial advice on a range of issues e.g. benefits, housing, community care, residential care.
• Community development – we work with 30 local Age Concern groups offering them training, information and support
• Health promotion – we run an Actively Ageing initiative which aims to promote physical activity amongst older people Provision of domiciliary, day and residential care

Cedar Foundation

The Cedar Foundation's vision is to play a leading role in the achievement of a community in which people with disabilities are valued and participate as equal citizens.

Our mission is to deliver a range of services, which empower and support people with disabilities to be fully included in their communities.

EGSA

EGSA – the Educational Guidance Service for Adults - is a leading, Northern Ireland-based, independent provider of information, advice and guidance on learning and work.In addition to its frontline service for adults, EGSA offers a unique blend of skilled advice, a comprehensive information base, extensive experience, insight and local knowledge to organisations interested in learning and development solutions to motivate and maximize the talents and capabilities of their staff.

Housing Rights Service

Housing Rights Service has been working for over 40 years on behalf of people in Northern Ireland who are homeless or in housing need. We work to promote the rights of people who are in housing need in Northern Ireland through the provision of high quality independent specialist services and by influencing policy to achieve decent, safe and affordable housing for all.

Help the Aged

Help the Aged is an international charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect. Help the Aged campaigns for change in government policy, undertakes research into the needs of older people and provides local services in communities across the UK and overseas.

Law Centre NI

Law Centre (NI) is a not for profit agency working to advance social welfare rights in Northern Ireland.

Law Centre (NI) carry out work around:

• social security
• community care
• housing
• employment
• immigration
• child support

NICVA

Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action is the umbrella body for voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland. We aim to achieve progressive social change by tackling disadvantage through voluntary action and community development.

Rural Community Network

The Rural Community Network (RCN) is a voluntary organisation established by local community organisations to articulate the voice of rural communities on issues relating to poverty, disadvantage and community development. RCN aims to make a difference to the quality of life of people living in rural communities, particularly those who are most disadvantaged or experiencing poverty. Community development is the approach RCN use to address these issues. Strategic Aims

1. To articulate the voice of rural communities.
2. To promote community development and networking in rural communities.
3. To work towards social inclusion and peace building in rural communities.
4. To support the building of sustainable rural communities.

SHAC

SHAC Housing Association was established on 25 May 1977. The Association was first set up as a housing association to provide affordable accommodation for students. Over the years our client group has widened but students still make up around 50% of our tenants. The Association is registered as an Industrial & Provident Society and is recognised as a Charity. Its main role is to provide housing and related support services to people in housing need within a framework set by the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland. The Association focuses on provision of temporary housing with ancillary services, mainly in shared housing, but also provides some permanent, self-contained or unfurnished accommodation.

Training for Women Network

Training for Women Network was officially established in 1996 although the process of forming the need for women's training network was initiated earlier in 1986 by the Equal Opportunities Commission. TWN is a non-profit organisation which aims to advance, promote, develop, and co-ordinate provision of accessible, high quality vocational and pre-vocational education and training for women in Northern Ireland leading to sustainable employment. It also encourages and empowers women to take up leadership roles and become involved in decision making in public and professional life.

YouthNet

YouthNet's vision is of an inclusive and equitable society that values young people and actively develops their contribution to achieve this, within a local, national and international context. YouthNet is a strategic network of Voluntary Youth Organisations. It exists to advocate with and on behalf of its membership, to represent, support and develop their interests and aspirations and to promote the independent voice of the voluntary youth sector.

ICT Consortium Mission Statement

“The ICT Consortium aims to support and promote the strategic use of ICT within the voluntary and community sector and to provide a collective voice on ICT issues concerning the sector”

Other activities to date

• Web accessibility conference - the consortium organised a conference held on 28 September 2005 looking at web accessibility - resources and a conference summary are available on this site
• ICT Conference - the consortium helped to plan and organise NICVA’s first ICT conference; Connecting the Dots, Plotting the Future of ICT in the Voluntary Community Sector held in November 2004
• Strategic Planning Session - The Consortium engaged an external facilitator to help agree its mission statement and activities for the future
• Regular meetings - The Consortium meet on a bi-monthly basis, rotating meetings between consortium members.
• Workshops - The Consortium is currently planning a series of workshops on issues that were raised by participants at the Connecting the Dots conference in November 2004.