Case Studies & Projects > Helping Hands (rhymney Cancer Self-Help Group) Phase 2
Project Helping Hands
Location Rhymney, Caerphilly
Organised by Helping Hands
Contact Derwyn Evans 01685 844 888
Location Rhymney, Caerphilly
Organised by Helping Hands
Contact Derwyn Evans 01685 844 888
Digital inclusion initiative
The charity provides support services, a home comforts loan service (such as mattresses and wheelchairs) and transport to hospital for people with cancer and disabilities living locally. The charity was assisted in setting up as company and renewing its charitable status by the Wales Co-operative Centre in 2005 and funds are raised for the charity through the shop. Manager Derwyn Evans thought new technology might be able to help increase fundraising and offer a training incentive to recruit and reward the volunteers who are key to delivering this service.
A digital camera, PC, broadband connection was all that was required by the Shop Manager to start selling the charity’s goods on-line on internet auction sites. He demonstrates digital photography, on-line listing and emailing purchasers to volunteers, who can also use the internet in their spare time. Not only has the charity opened up another market for sales but the 30 volunteers, mainly ladies aged over 50, have had their first taste of new technology. The charity shop also had its own JR Hartley experience, reuniting an author with his out of print book ‘Steam in Africa’.
Key achievements
Lessons Learned
Selling on-line generated competitiveness between volunteers and gave them an incentive to learn quickly.
From a personal perspective
Varena is a volunteer in the shop, and explains “Selling on-line is fascinating, you can get a good price for goods that would go for much less in the shop.”
Next steps
Helping Hands is looking at using technology to promote their work further and seeking funding for a laptop and projector.
January 2007
The charity provides support services, a home comforts loan service (such as mattresses and wheelchairs) and transport to hospital for people with cancer and disabilities living locally. The charity was assisted in setting up as company and renewing its charitable status by the Wales Co-operative Centre in 2005 and funds are raised for the charity through the shop. Manager Derwyn Evans thought new technology might be able to help increase fundraising and offer a training incentive to recruit and reward the volunteers who are key to delivering this service.
A digital camera, PC, broadband connection was all that was required by the Shop Manager to start selling the charity’s goods on-line on internet auction sites. He demonstrates digital photography, on-line listing and emailing purchasers to volunteers, who can also use the internet in their spare time. Not only has the charity opened up another market for sales but the 30 volunteers, mainly ladies aged over 50, have had their first taste of new technology. The charity shop also had its own JR Hartley experience, reuniting an author with his out of print book ‘Steam in Africa’.
Key achievements
- In November 2006 45 volunteer hours were spent on the internet and recorded on the ‘towards digital inclusion’ chart
- New skills developed through on-line work include knowledge of price comparison sites, digital photography and email
- In 3 months an extra £250 income was generated for the charity through on-line trading
Lessons Learned
Selling on-line generated competitiveness between volunteers and gave them an incentive to learn quickly.
From a personal perspective
Varena is a volunteer in the shop, and explains “Selling on-line is fascinating, you can get a good price for goods that would go for much less in the shop.”
Next steps
Helping Hands is looking at using technology to promote their work further and seeking funding for a laptop and projector.
January 2007
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Wales Co-operative Centre, Llandaff Court, Fairwater Road, Cardiff, CF5 2XP
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