Online platform Bristol is teaming up with the tech giant

An online platform connecting businesses with local charities and community groups has teamed up with Microsoft to launch a campaign to bring together corporate volunteers with the charity sector to help reduce administrative burden and tackle the growing digital divide.

Through the DigitalBridge campaign, launched this month, charities and community groups in the Neighbourly network, from youth charities to food banks, will be able to access support through the organisation’s corporate network.

Volunteers from around twenty companies are taking part, including Virgin Media O2, Hays, Overbury and Morgan Lovell, Motability and Redcliffe & Temple BID, helping charities with a range of digital challenges.

The campaign comes as research shows that spending less time on administrative tasks is a growing need for charities and that two-thirds of charities are interested in making the most of emerging technologies such as AI and ChatGPT.

In the Bristol organization’s latest community research, 64% said they don’t know where to start with Gen AI or haven’t spent time with it. In 2023, the Communications and Digital Committee also highlighted high levels of digital exclusion among citizens, with the rapid shift to online services deepening the disadvantages for those who remain offline.

Microsoft is supporting the program by providing specially developed online training resources to help build knowledge and access learning pathways so that charity employees can use technology to drive greater impact. Employees from businesses in the Neighborly community will use and signpost these resources as part of their volunteering activities to help build confidence and skills in key areas. Charity staff and volunteers will also be able to learn to provide beneficiaries with practical support and digital skills.

Volunteering opportunities will run throughout June and into the summer, tying in and celebrating other major moments in the volunteering calendar such as The Big Help Out (7-9 June).

Neighborly has been working with Microsoft since 2023 as part of its Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact (EfPI) program, which supports technology businesses and entrepreneurs tackling pressing social challenges.

Charles Eales, Head of UK Social Impact, Microsoft Philanthropies, said: “We are delighted to be working with Neighborly on this important campaign to bridge the digital divide and empower charities with essential digital skills. At Microsoft, we believe in the power of technology to drive positive change, and through initiatives like this, we can really target and help make a meaningful impact in the communities where the need is greatest.”

Bev Sykes, founder of Just Good Friends, said: “Our little charity would be really interested in learning more about AI and chat tools. We know we need to acquire more digital skills to move forward – we struggle to advance in certain areas because of our lack of knowledge. I initially read about AI and it sounds interesting, but I need help understanding how it can best be applied.”

Steve Butterworth, CEO, Neighbourly, said: “As a platform dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between businesses and local charities, we are proud to collaborate with Microsoft and our valued customer partners on this innovative volunteering initiative, which we hope to reach at least 1,000 charity workers. By harnessing the power of corporate volunteers and technology, we aim to empower charities to navigate the digital landscape more effectively, ultimately leading to greater impact and inclusion within communities.”