TPX Impact have been sharing a series of blogs about the charity landscape. We’ve shared some of the highlights in this post below, but you can read more over on their blog. 

Connected communities

In the modern age, community isn’t just about a shared location. It can now also mean shared values, interests, mutual connections. Community can be defined by the reliance on others and the benefits which are woven into the threads of daily life through a shared interest or purpose.

Throughout 2020, local communities flourished as people looked for ways to use their enforced free time during lockdown to help others. 

The impact of technology.. 

Digital technology was used to forge connections that look set to continue. In the blog, it references what experts as the donut effect and the negatives and positives from that. 

We’re already seeing what some experts are dubbing as a post-pandemic ‘donut effect’, with individuals becoming far more comfortable within the one mile (or 15 minute) circle of their ‘local neighbourhood’. 

While this has resulted in dramatic decreases in footfall around the centres of some towns and cities, the donut effect has as many positive impacts as negative. Post-pandemic, the nine-to-five workforce that traditionally saw little of their own neighbourhoods other than at weekends have become accustomed to home or hybrid working patterns that make the area that they live the backdrop to their entire lives. By spending more time within their local circle, they have become aware of the issues and organisations that affect their area. By home working online, they have become equally aware of the power of technology to connect like minded people, to share information and to mobilise interested parties. 

Platforms such as SnapChat and Facebook have been responding to this local interest by focusing on local businesses, search and advertising capabilities. Similarly, Google TV ads have been promoting local shopping and pushing the need to leave reviews in order to support this most-likely ongoing demand.

Technology in the charity sector

In the charity sector, one recent example of these technologies coming together is the Destination Home app that’s available via musemio.com. Created by the homeless charity Crisis it delivers an experience that’s designed to show junior school students how people become homeless, how it can be addressed and how young people can help. Destination Home can be played on a smartphone or, by using a phone slotted into a simple cardboard headset, can also provide a VR experience. 

In the second blog of the series on taking a stand, it talks about being honest and open when it comes to data and changes post pandemic.

Digital’s ability to be so immersive is why it’s important to be honest and open about what personal data is being asked for, what it will be used for and why it’s being asked for. According to dentsu’s Digital Society Index, 40% of people have reduced the amount of data they share online, compared to the time before the pandemic. 

I’d recommend jumping over to catch up on the series of blogs about connecting the charity landscape, and discover more useful learnings.