Get Your Charity in Shape: Flexing the Power of Technology to Boost Impact
Is your charity feeling a little weighed down by inefficiencies? Maybe your workflows carry some extra “admin weight” after the festive season? Don’t worry, it’s time to hit the gym (figuratively, of course). With the help of skilled volunteers and innovative technology, you can streamline your operations, boost your productivity, and free up time for what really matters—making an impact.
Let’s take a look at how some charities are flexing their tech muscles and transforming their operations.
Put Your Workflows on a Diet: Sported UK Slims Down Processes
Inefficient workflows can feel like carrying around a backpack full of bricks. Sported UK, a charity empowering grassroots sports organisations, decided to lighten the load. By trimming down time-consuming processes and automating repetitive tasks, they created more space for meaningful work.
As Nadia Lipsey from Sported UK said: “It’s been truly transformational; within 12 hours of the project being completed, it was already having a positive impact on my everyday life.”
With some help from skilled volunteers, Sported UK has shown that even small tweaks can lead to big gains. Consider it the “couch to 5k” of charity workflows—small steps that lead to major progress.
AI as Your Personal Trainer: Citizens Advice and NoteGenie
Think of AI as your charity’s personal trainer, it keeps things running efficiently and helps you focus on your goals. Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, and Trafford (CASORT) embraced AI with the innovative “Caddy” project, teaming up with PwC UK to develop NoteGenie.
This AI-powered tool acts like a co-pilot for CASORT’s advisors, capturing case notes and streamlining workflows. Stuart Pearson from CASORT summed up the potential before the skilled volunteers got to work: “The impact it would make would mean hundreds of thousands of extra people would get advice. If we could just get rid of the write-up side, that frees up advisors to help more people.”
With NoteGenie taking care of the heavy lifting, CASORT’s advisors can focus on delivering compassionate, human-centred support. Who needs to bench press when you’ve got AI doing the heavy work for you?
Pump Up Your Communications: Newcastle Vision Support Gets Alexa Fit
Clear, effective communication is like having good posture, it keeps everything aligned and functioning smoothly. Newcastle Vision Support decided to pump up their comms game with the help of BJSS skilled volunteers.
The result? Newsletters are now accessible via Alexa, there are real-time updates on events, and podcasts are embedded on its website. For example, Alexa enables service users to access updates simply by asking for them, no need to navigate a website or deal with printed materials.
As Angus Huntley from Newcastle Vision Support said: “The way BJSS implemented this is brilliant. Not only do we get the content on Alexa, but we also have the newsletter as a podcast embedded into our website. It’s a win-win, really.”
Their communication muscles are stronger than ever, and the best part? They’re saving time and increasing accessibility for their community.
Strengthen Your Core: Working Families and Power BI
Every fitness journey needs a strong core, and for charities, that core is data. But what if your data is stuck in endless spreadsheets, hard to interpret or use effectively? Enter Power BI, a tool designed to help organisations turn raw data into clear, visual dashboards.
For Working Families, skilled volunteers used Power BI to transform four years of Benchmark Survey data into easy-to-read charts and graphs. These dashboards revealed trends and insights, helping the charity better understand its community and guide decision-making.
Rebecca Jones from Working Families shared the results: “We are really grateful for the STA’s support, which has enabled us to explore new ways of understanding our data, meaning we better understand our employer members’ experiences and can use our data more efficiently and effectively.”
Power BI acts like your personal data coach—showing you where to focus, tracking your progress, and helping you make smarter decisions.
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway: Street Soccer Scotland Steps Outside Its Comfort Zone
Trying something new can feel like joining a spin class for the first time—daunting, but worth it. Street Soccer Scotland faced this fear head-on, partnering with BJSS skilled volunteers to automate processes within its Salesforce system.
Cameron Black from Street Soccer Scotland explained the impact: “Thanks to BJSS, we’re now saving hours of time per week, which means we can spend more time supporting our players on and off the pitch.”
This project wasn’t just about technology; it was about creating more space for what matters most—helping people. Sometimes, stepping outside your comfort zone is the best way to grow stronger.
Start Your Charity’s Fitness Journey
Feeling inspired but not sure where to begin? We understand that navigating the digital landscape can be daunting, especially if you’re unsure where to start or what solutions might best fit your needs. That’s where we come in. Our team is ready to work with you to identify areas for improvement and develop customised strategies that align with your mission.
Don’t worry if you’re not tech-savvy or uncertain about the specific solutions you require—that’s our expertise. Reach out to us today, and together, we’ll explore how technology can lighten your load and amplify your impact. Let’s start a conversation and find the perfect digital “workout plan” for your charity.
