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We also knew we could accomplish more by developing our own Opencast way to connect our people’s digital expertise, energy and vision with the work of non-profits. And we knew that there was a significant opportunity to provide improved services for the wider communities that we all serve through our work.
Opencast’s social impact strategy has a broad set of programmes including pro bono (no charge), low bono (reduced charge) initiatives, and skills-based volunteering. Using these, we want to work side-by-side with community organisations, understanding their unique challenges and creating projects that benefits all involved. Our goal is to develop relationships that spark real, tangible change for people and planet.
We've discovered that ‘impact’ is fundamentally fluid. The same actions can lead to dramatically different outcomes depending on context. This understanding has shaped our approach. We're not rushing to scale or seeking quick wins, but rather on thoughtfully building connections through deep, attentive conversations.
Over the last year, our networks have expanded organically – through conversations with not-for-profit sectors, government partners, and organisations such as the Tech for Good Alliance. We're discovering opportunities by listening, being present and recognising that meaningful change happens when diverse expertise comes together with genuine commitment.
Our software developer colleague Ivina Pontes (pictured), a CodeYourFuture graduate, exemplified the impact of this approach. By mobilising our software development team to support aspiring tech professionals through CodeYourFuture programmes, we're not just looking to transfer our skills – we are exploring ways to positively participate in a living, learning ecosystem.
This thoughtful approach to forming partnerships has led to new exciting collaborations this year with fantastic organisations such as The Turing Trust, The Fore, The Alnwick Garden, Forum for the Future and more. And we are looking forward to doing more.
Take our recent work with homelessness non-profit EveryYouth early this year for example. Our team worked with EveryYouth’s to create an inventory management solution that supports their amazing work with young people experiencing homelessness. The system works on Excel to make it easy to use, affordable and effective. By helping them efficiently distribute donated mattresses to young people transitioning out of homelessness into their new homes, our project saved EveryYouth’s small team an entire day of work each month. We will share more about this story in an upcoming post.
Our journey isn't about grand gestures, but about the subtle, transformative power of human connection. We're learning to recognise impact in its most authentic form – not as something we do to communities, but something we co-create, together.
In the words of urban design expert Nabeel Hamdi, "build a bus stop in an urban slum and a vibrant community sprouts and grows around it – that is the power of small changes that have huge positive effects."
During and beyond B Corp month, we'll be sharing stories of Opencast’s work with non-profits that demonstrate the scope and approach of our purpose-centred projects, as well as sharing other insights. Look out for those on our website and on social media.
We look forward to hearing your perspectives – and invite you to join us in reimagining what's possible when technology, empathy and human potential converge.
Read more about Opencast’s social impact strategy and initiatives.
Opencast recently supported the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) with pro bono expertise in user-centred design. Here the ALLIA...
This year, Opencast was certified as a purpose-driven B Corp, reflecting our commitment to social and environmental impact. Work by people across the...
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