DCMS blog

“Data use can transform the economy and tackle society’s biggest challenges”

Sasjkia Otto

Sasjkia Otto, March 31, 2021 — Digital

Senior Policy Adviser, Data Economy Innovation at DCMS

The use of data — done safely, fairly and efficiently — presents one of the big opportunities of our time, and lies at the heart of the vision set out in the National Data Strategy. It presents an opportunity to transform the economy, society and the way we live our lives whilst tackling some of…

Supporting female leadership in the UK tech sector

Teresa Carlson

Teresa Carlson, March 12, 2021 — Digital

Vice President, Worldwide Public Sector and Industries at Amazon Web Services

If there was ever a period in our history to drive home the incredible capabilities of technology, it has been the last year. Cloud computing has enabled governments, schools, universities and businesses to remain operational in the most disruptive of circumstances.  Meanwhile, data analytics are helping medical researchers to find new treatments and vaccines faster,…

Bluebell Railway: Virtual tours that take culture online, into care homes and around the world

Ruth Rowatt

Ruth Rowatt, February 26, 2021 — #HereForCulture

Marketing and Communications Manager, Bluebell Railway

A grant from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage to the Bluebell Railway has enabled us to create virtual tours of our stations, locomotive shed and museum. This project is ongoing with more tours coming soon, including Kingscote Station, booking office and signal box!  The link to our first tour was put on the Bluebell…

MindOut provides vital support for LGBTQ mental health

Helen Jones

Helen Jones, February 23, 2021 — #CommunitiesCan

CEO, MindOut

As part of DCMS Community Match Challenge through Global’s Make Some Noise, MindOut, based in Brighton, has received a £20,000 grant for their virtual mental health service for the LGBTQ+ community. The funding covers online Support Worker salaries and training costs to extend hours for the online support service. This temporary increase in hours and…

#NAW2021: Being an Apprentice for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Sadie Cooper

Sadie Cooper, February 12, 2021 — Sport

Apprentice, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

When I got the role at Birmingham 2022 I was absolutely delighted. I’d been furloughed from my previous job, where I’d completed a level two apprenticeship and gone on to work in customer services. I saw this level three apprenticeship advertised on the Government’s website and as soon as I read it, I knew I…

Reflections on the National Data Strategy

Phil Earl

Phil Earl, February 3, 2021 — Digital

Deputy Director, Data Strategy, Implementation and Evidence, reflects on the National Data Strategy

As Deputy Director responsible for the National Data Strategy (NDS) I wanted to share some reflections about our recent consultation, and what’s next for the strategy. We received well over 250 responses to the consultation, and I was really pleased to note the wide range of organisations and individuals represented. It reflects the ambition of…

The Value of Culture and Heritage

Lord Mendoza

Lord Mendoza, January 21, 2021 — Culture

Commissioner for Cultural Recovery and Renewal

When we visit a gallery or a local museum, attend a concert or dance performance, visit a Neolithic site or take a ride on a steam railway we experience cultural nourishment and joy. We experience this communally, with our families and friends. Cultural organisations also provide needed societal work for communities across the country. We…

Using Dormant Assets to get charities and social enterprises the capital they need

Seb Elsworth

Seb Elsworth, January 9, 2021 — Civil Society

CEO, Access - The Foundation for Social Investment

Access uses money from dormant assets to support more charities and social enterprises to get the capital they need to grow and help more people in their communities. We do this through a model we call blended finance. This means combining loans and grant so that social lenders are able to support smaller organisations who…

Supporting frontline organisations to make a real difference

Stephen Muers

Stephen Muers, — Civil Society

Interim CEO, Big Society Capital

Big Society Capital was set up with the promise of £425 million from dormant bank accounts and £200 million from our four bank shareholders. Our mission is to improve people’s lives in the UK through investment.  It is the frontline organisations that deliver such impact, so far more than 1,200 of them, and the fund…

2020 is ALL THE FEELS | Bristol’s Watershed on the impact of lockdown and the Culture Recovery Fund

Clare Reddington

Clare Reddington, October 30, 2020 — Culture

CEO, Watershed

Clare Reddington, CEO of Watershed in Bristol discusses what happened when covid closed them down, how they have been using the lockdown to do some deep thinking and how they are re-emerging wrapped in renewed values to make a sector that is representative, safe and welcoming for all.   Before lockdown, Watershed was thriving and…