Beth Murphy on what is being done as it is revealed half of all third sector organisations struggle with basic digital skills

The digital team at SCVO have the privilege of spending time with organisations from across the third sector doing amazing work.

For lots of these organisations digital is an enabler – tools and technologies can help to communicate with clients, increase donations and deliver services in new and innovative ways.

For other organisations digital is a solution to help reduce inequalities, and improve quality of life for the people they support. Young people are supported to understand their digital footprint and increase employability. Isolated adults are able to access peer support and feel part of a community when face to face services are closed.

The One Digital project has been delivering across Scotland during 2016 and we have been collecting the stories of many of these organisations. They show the real benefits that digital can bring, and why it is so important for the sector to develop digital skills.

These videos tell the stories of a few of the people and organisations we have met along the way.

Nicola Shirkey from Tayberry Enterprise in Dundee uses digital in a whole range of activities, to reduce isolation and increase confidence and employability.

Bruce Gunn from courier service DNDP explains how digital technology is the bedrock of his social enterprise.

Sandra Sutton from Twecher Healthy Living and Enterprise Centre talks about her initial reluctance to use digital, but the benefits she is beginning to see for her organisation.

Graham Murdo from iConnect North East shows what a difference digital has made to the people he works with, and his own confidence and skills

We know that Scotland is a digital nation, eight in 10 households have internet access and 6 in 10 of us have smartphones. But we also know that for lots of people digital is scary and it can be difficult to know where to start.

Half of all third sector organisations struggle with basic digital skills, but there is support to help change this.

If these stories have inspired you and you would like to find out more about digital, and what it could do for you and the people you support come along to a One Digital meetup. These informal events will take place in September all over Scotland. There will be expert speakers from each area talking about the way digital has helped them to do things differently, and plenty of time to network over a cup of tea, and pick up some tips and pointers.

Find out more and register your interest at meetup.com/One-Digital-Meetup.

Beth Murphy is One Digital project manager.