Circuit riders/ICT development workers

A new but increasingly popular type of support is offered by a ‘circuit rider’ or an ICT development worker. They are typically a mobile worker providing ICT support and development to a caseload of small VCOs. Part-trainer, part-management consultant, part-computer expert, they collaborate with other circuit riders to help the organisations they support and have the values of the sector at heart.

Like other voluntary sector development workers, circuit riders have an ongoing involvement with the organisations with which they work: they don’t just visit an organisation when there’s a problem but try to encourage its long-term development. They generally work with small organisations that cannot afford their own ICT staff and have a support network of individuals from other organisations, including other voluntary sector development workers, who they collaborate with or refer on to.

The term ‘circuit rider’ originated in the USA in the late 1700s, referring to someone who travelled around a sparsely populated area dispensing law, medicine or religion. In the early 1990s it was adopted by ICT workers working with a range of not-for-profit organisations in a particular area and has now been taken up in the UK as an umbrella term for ICT professionals who work mainly with VCOs.

Technology is a fast-moving field and no one person can keep up to date with everything. Circuit riders use their support networks to share ideas, suggestions and recommendations between each other. This enables them to learn from the experience of different organisations as well as giving them a collective voice among stakeholders such as funders, policy-makers, suppliers and voluntary sector networks.

Depending upon their specialism and the needs of the organisation they are working with, a circuit rider might:

• repair and fix hardware
• install and configure software
• train and support staff
• manage existing ICT resources more effectively
• advise project managers on ICT development and implementation
• help draw up an ICT strategy.

The benefits that circuit riders bring include:

• They understand and share the ethos of the sector and are committed to seeing it thrive and grow.
• They can offer independent advice about ICT suppliers and companies.
• They have a network of individuals from other organisations, including other voluntary sector development workers, who they can collaborate with or refer on to.
• They share the voluntary sector’s commitment to equal opportunities and diversity; in particular they are aware of accessibility issues and the need to make sure that any technology work they implement is as accessible as possible to all staff and clients.

Weblinks

• For more information go to: www.icthub.org.uk/circuitriders.
• www.ukriders.info – includes a map of circuit riders in the UK.

Think you might be a circuit rider?

Providing ICT support the voluntary sector can be a lonely and unappreciated task. If you think you’re already doing circuit rider work, then the ICT Hub is keen to support you.

• Subscribe to the UK Riders email list to get news, support, ideas, recommendations and peer support;
• Attend a regional meeting or annual conference.
• Put yourself on the circuit rider map so that other circuit riders and potential clients can find you.