That's all folks!
Mark Walker
This won't be news to everyone but as of 1 January I'm no longer
working for SCIP. Due to changes in grant funding I spent most of 2011
working on projects and delivering training in SCIP's name in a
freelance capacity.
I now have a new job working as marketing manager for AbilityNet, a
national charity that helps people with disabilities use IT. I've
worked with them for the past 18 months on the Technology4Good Awards
and they've now recruited me as an employee. As this is a full-time
role it marks the end of my time with SCIP, so I'd like to take this
opportunity to say a huge thank you so many people.
I've worked in the sector in Sussex for close to 20 years and have
always been motivated by the wonderful energy and expertise of the
people who work for, volunteer in and support the local not for profit
sector. It's been a real privilege to share time with people who care
about our local communities, including people from the public and
business sectors which are such an important part of a flourishing and
successful community.
You may not know that SCIP has been around since 1995-ish, when
Netscape was on version 0.1, modems cost £300 and we didn't even
mobile phones or text messaging, let alone Facebook [in fact I'm not
sure we had more than 4 channels on the TV?]. The change in our lives
and our communities since then has been breathtaking - it's not all
for the good but I'm very proud of the way we our free and low cost
training and support has helped so many different people get to grips
with the wonders of the web.
We have always tried to help people who wouldn't otherwise have chance
to try new technology, to give them a chance to explore the benefits
it could bring to their lives on their own terms. And right from the
start we got out into communities, running events in community centres
from Hangleton to Hastings, joining in community events [like the
wonderful Low Tide where we ran a cybercafe on the beach] and staging
Virtual Festivals in the Corn Exchange in 1998 and '99, when literally
thousands of people used the internet for the very first time. It's
been great to work with such brilliant people to help make IT
familiar, useful and accessible in every sense of the word.
I'm also delighted to have seen the social enterprise part of our work
flourish and the good news is that Andy, Mark and Anna have their
hands firmly on the tiller, delivering sustainable, affordable web
design and IT support services. If you're not already using SCIP for
your IT support, web design or related services please do ask them
next time you're thinking about changing suppliers.
There are so many people to thank and I will arrange a proper leaving
do in a few weeks, meanwhile I wish you all the best for a healthy and
happy 2012.
Take care
Mark
--
Mark Walker
Founder/Consultant
www.scip.org.uk | Twitter: @scipmark | 07956 627116
The winners of the first ever UK Technology4Good Awards were announced
in June 2011.
Find out more at
http://www.technology4goodawards.org.uk/news/and-the-winners-are/
Organised by AbilityNet and BT. Supported by AppiChar, Barclaycard, BT
MyDonate, Camelot, Charity Technology Trust, HiSoftware,
IT4Communities, Media Trust, Microsoft, MicroLink, RaceOnline2012 and
UK online centres. With thanks to Pleece&Co and SCIP for branding and
website
