Wouldn’t it be great if there was a collaborative project, that brought together residents, community organisations and Sandwell Council to encourage and support the use of digital technology across our region?

Well there is!

iSandwell is a community development project that uses digital as a vehicle to create social change in our region. Taking its lead from local residents, iSandwell offers a wide range of workshops, talks and roadshows to ensure we don’t get left behind as technology advances.

An example of the work the organisation does is to upskill voluntary workers, to benefit their nonprofit organisations, and to pass on the skills they’ve learned to the people they work with. One of the ways they do this is through the iSandwell Academy. This is a series of six workshops for voluntary sector organisations in which attendees learn about topics such as social media strategy, gathering evidence online for funding applications and social campaigning.

The project also manages the iSandwell Digital Champion network, a program in which volunteers either share their expertise with local third sector groups or document digital issues unique to Sandwell. Another scheme is the iSandwell Roadshow, which has visited all six towns in the region, talking to local people in person, conducting surveys and presenting the findings on the iSandwell blog. And there’s also the iSandwell Lab, a monthly public meeting for local people to share and discuss their ideas for social change.

The project is guided by the iSandwell Commissioning Group, a discussion forum on ideas for social change in the borough, leading to collaborative projects and campaigns. The overall strategic direction is shaped at the iSandwell Camp, an annual conference and an opportunity to raise and discuss new ideas.

iSandwell is all about community and collaboration, and the team would love local businesses and business people to get involved. If you are interested in becoming a Digital Champion, joining the Commissioning Group, attending the Academy or coming to the next iSandwell Lab or Camp, then email hello@isandwell.org.uk, or call 0121 569 3556 for more information.

To keep up to date with iSandwell’s latest news and updates, follow @iSandwellHQ on Twitter, visit the website or read the Tumblr blog.