An article on eGov monitor looking at the role of ICT in addressing social exclusion, while leading on a project in Finland, also discusses the Wythit community portal for Wythenshawe, Manchester (http://www.wythit.com). A key figure behind this ‘tool for urban regeneration and way of community engagement’ gives his views on how to make such a web project a success.

http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/6306.

The latest Tech4Impact newsletter leads to some interesting online articles, on handling online criticism (http://www.coyotecommunications.com/outreach/critics.html) and ‘Stages of Maturity in Nonprofit Organizations’ Use of Online Technologies’ (http://www.coyotecommunications.com/outreach/online3.html)

‘Social Silicon Valleys: a manifesto for social innovation’ was produced by the Young Foundation back in March, but an introductory article reproduced by the Centre for Charity Effectiveness (http://www.centreforcharityeffectiveness.org/June6Mulgan.htm) is an excuse to mention it now.

Examples of world-changing social innovations mentioned include the Open University, fair trade, NHS Direct and Participatory budgeting models.

The manifesto can be downloaded (pdf, 3.12Mb) or ordered via http://www.youngfoundation.org.uk/index.php?p=262.

The Breathing Places grants programme from the Big Lottery Fund has been developed in partnership with the BBC to provide amounts of between £300 and £10,000 for small groups around the UK who are inspired by the Breathing Places campaign. Phase One, open now, is for voluntary or community sector organisations working at a local level (or parish/town councils).

See BBC info at http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/, or BLF application details  (Note: requires cookies).

The England Volunteering Development Council wants to hear views on how to take forward ‘Building on Success: strategy for volunteering infrastructure’.

Briefing document and response form available here. Deadline 14th August.

A survey of the information and guidance needs of employers of community development workers across voluntary, community and public sectors in England is being carried out by Federation for Community Development Learning and the England Standards Board.

Responses by 24th July, while there are also 3 regional consultation workshops in July. See http://www.fcdl.org.uk/ESB/index.htm#employers.

(Source: CDX news page)

Charity shops harness the power of eBay to build profits

Charity shops’ incomes have dropped by 53%[i] in the past decade due in large part to the proliferation of low cost retailers like Matalan and Primark and the rise of internet auction sites. Charity shops also face challenges in attracting donations of high value goods as many would-be donors believe the shops would only get a few pence on the pound for the items. However, a new UK company by the name of Blue Ocean Solutions is harnessing the power of eBay and other internet auction sites by auctioning items on behalf of charities – at no cost or risk to the charity.

EBay has attempted to redress the balance by offering “eBay for Charity”, a facility available to charities that offers a reduction on eBay’s normal auctioning fees. Unfortunately, most charities are failing to access this opportunity due to lack of eBay ‘understanding’ and of trained manpower in charity shops.

Blue Ocean Solutions provides a turnkey service for charities by providing extensive personnel training, regularly updated manuals and a full service for charity shop paid staff and volunteers. The company educates staff on how to identify items suitable for internet auction and then collects the items from shops on a regular basis. The items are professionally valued, described in detail, photographed and listed in the best categories on eBay or, in the case of rare or valuable books, on Amazon.co.uk.

Charities receive a cheque for the items successfully auctioned at the end of each month. The Blue Ocean service is provided free of charge. Instead, the firm take a small percentage of the final sale with around 65% of the money earned going to the charity. Blue Ocean Solutions aims to achieve far more through internet auctions than charities would ever achieve through a conventional shop, thus covering their fees and then some.

The service is designed to allow all UK charities with retail outlets access to the global buying audience of the internet (over 180m eBay members worldwide) without having to train or hire additional staff, invest in equipment or acquiring know-how.

Two UK charities, Barnardo’s and MIND, are already making extensive use of the Blue Ocean Solutions eBay service. In total, 78 UK charity shops are using Blue Ocean Solutions services and the company plans to establish a network of over 200 shops by the end of 2006 making it the largest eBay retailer in the EU.
Richard Lancaster, CEO of Blue Ocean Solutions comments “The success of eBay can now be cost-effectively harnessed by all charities. Blue Ocean is there to provide 100% support and the professional infrastructure for charities to use eBay and other internet auction sites at no cost to them. We believe that Blue Ocean has the potential, with its eBay solution and other retail concepts now taking shape, to help charities greatly improve shops’ performance.”
- ENDS -

For further information or comments on Blue Ocean Solutions, please contact:
Richard Lancaster, tel: 07798 622679, e-mail: ral@blueoceansolutions.co.uk
For press enquiries (not for publication)
Lana Wrightman, tel: 020 3022 5063, mob: 07725 951310, e-mail: pr@lanawrightman.com
Note for editors:

Blue Ocean Solutions:
Blue Ocean Solutions is a new company dedicated to helping charities make the most of their donations by auctioning high value items on internet auction sites. It offers a turnkey service that provides charity shop staff with training and IT skills. The company then collects high value items from the shops and regularly auctions the items through eBay and other internet auction sites. Its services are offered at no charge to the charities and the charities receive c.65% of the final sale price of the item. This price is typically far higher than what a charity could achieve for the item sold through a charity shop.

The company was founded by Richard Lancaster, a marketing and business management consultant, and Maggie Semple OBE, Director of The Experience Corps with a long and distinguished history in educational welfare. They are part of a new breed of “social entrepreneurs” striving to bring business and charities together.

The fifth annual risk survey of the not-for-profit sector from finance body CFDG and accountants PKF focuses on the risks within the relationships that managers have with trustees, staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, funders, regulators and the wider public.

http://www.pkf.co.uk/charitiessurvey.

Organisations still using older computers should take note that, as announced some time ago, Microsoft’s Extended Support service for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Me ends on 11th July.

While existing support documents will continue to be available via http://support.microsoft.com/gp/hublist, there will be no more security updates. Standalone PCs no doubt could soldier on for some time, but internet connections could give security headaches.

(Thanks to UKRiders list for the reminder - http://lists.lasa.org.uk/lists/info/ukriders)

Business Link, the government’s business advice service, has a new ‘interactive tool’ on managing expectant and new mothers at work, to help employers understand their obligations and employee entitlements.

They reckon it will take about 5 minutes to work through, and is more of a starting guide than a definitive answer. http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/maternity.

A summary report of the ‘Charities and Public Service Delivery’ conference held by the Charity Commission in March, including copies of plenary speeches and workshop presentations, is available.

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/spr/psdevent.asp.

HM Revenue and Customs has updated and improved guidance about their audit of charity tax repayment claims (of Gift Aid etc). http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/guidance-notes/chapter7/audit-background.htm.

Also ‘enhanced’ is guidance on Gift Aid and ‘Donations that attract a right of free entry to charity property’: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/guidance-notes/chapter3/sectionf.htm#aw.