Let's talk about digital skills
We're excited to introduce Scouts' new Digital Skills tool, which is here to help you learn about and manage your digital tasks
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Digital skills help us to complete everyday tasks using technology – like computer software and the Internet – to find, create and share information. In an increasingly online world, having the skills to use these technologies has never been more important, and they can help make your life as a volunteer easier.
Across the movement, we know there is a digital skills gap amongst some of our volunteers and that many are keen to learn. To bridge this gap, we’ve developed a brand-new tool to help you learn new digital skills and use new digital systems which will make your volunteering much easier.
The Digital Skills tool has been developed with volunteers at its heart, with Scouts volunteers across the UK involved in both development and testing stages. The tool contains over 300 activities aimed around the digital skills you need to be a Scouts volunteer.
The activities are focused around different areas including administration, programme planning, keeping data safe and much more. You can either complete each of the activities individually or take part in a short quiz which will enable the tool to identify any gaps in your knowledge and recommend content just for you – you can then save your progress by quickly and easily creating an account.
The tool offers a range of different learning methods including curated online articles, tutorials and step-by-step guides, as well as introducing a peer-to-peer support network formed of Digital Champions. Our Digital Champions are volunteers across the movement who will be on hand to support others with their queries. You can request support from a Champion by using the form in the tool, or if you’re up for helping others, we’re looking for more volunteers to offer their support as a Digital Champion. You can sign up now through the tool, and you don’t need to be a digital-whizz either; if you’ve got a particular skill or tool you’re comfortable using you can lend your support to other volunteers – it's completely flexible too! Currently, we have over 50 Digital Champions registered on the tool ready to answer your questions, but we're always open to welcome more!
The tool is available to use now at digitalskills.scouts.org.uk - please feel free to use the tool, share it with other volunteers and provide us with feedback on the content and activities as we look to grow the library over the coming months.
We’re also aware that to use the tool that you need to access the online page, and have the equipment to be able to access it too. As part of our online guidance, we’ve created a section around digital inclusion, which provides links and support to volunteers who are interested in using the tool but need the training and access locally.
We’re so excited for the difference that this tool will make to our volunteers – especially over the coming year as we introduce more tools and systems to make volunteering at Scouts even easier.
Take a look for yourself
Scouts' Digital Skills tool is here to help you learn and manage your digital tasks. Take part in learning activities or request help from a Digital Champion.
Check out the Digital Skills tool