Three reasons we’re championing The Charity Digital Code of Practice

When Carlos, Johnny and I founded Lightful, it was to give charities and social enterprises access to the best technology, at an affordable price, so that they can create bigger impact for those they help. We were frustrated that the sector, as a whole, wasn’t making the most of the opportunities that technology offers so we looked for a solution that would help them save time, raise more awareness of their cause and make it easier to raise funds too.

So, it should be no surprise that we are championing the Charity Digital Code of Practice. Here are three reasons why:

It’s been co-created

The Code has been developed by a number of organisations in the sector, including the Charity Commission, ACEVO, Tech Trust, Small Charities Coalition and Lloyds Bank Foundation, to name a few. It’s independently chaired by digital expert Zoe Amar.

We believe that co-creation is far more than a buzzword, and is absolutely vital if you want to truly design something that is both useful and practical. In fact, one of the Code’s seven principles is ‘user-led’ so they are practicing what they preach.

2. It’s for everyone

‘Digital’ and ‘Technology’ is often equated with ‘big’. Many small organisations feel that they don’t have enough time, money or resource to ‘do digital’. The Code has a version which caters specifically for small charities, ensuring that they too can use the framework – and seven principles – to help them make informed decisions around technology and digital. It’s refreshing to see that the Code is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

3. It’s about upskilling, motivating and inspiring confidence

At Lightful, we’re committed to sharing best practice and upskilling charities in digital through our blog, masterclasses, webinars and best-practices built into our platform, as well as through speaking at sector events and conferences.

This is also the purpose of the Code. As Zoe said in a CharityComms article titled Seven ways to get your CEO excited about The Charity Digital Code of Practice, “It’s a framework, aimed at charity leaders and trustees, speaking to them in a language that’s familiar to them and setting out what they and their charities should be shooting for in digital. It aspires to develop charities’ digital skills, improve uptake of digital activity in charities, and create a level playing field for all organisations by increasing digital motivation and confidence.”

Currently the Code is open for consultation so we urge you to sign up and provide feedback by 9am on Tuesday 25th September 2018. Your feedback is important to shaping the Code and ensuring it really is fit for purpose for the whole sector.