# Do you have a Digital Motivator in the house? Find out how our first Digital Motivators in Housing Bootcamp went and how you can get involved in our future cohorts before applications close on 31st May.  _"I heard there are more smart phones than toothbrushes in the world!"_ This was just one of the many interesting discussion points that came up at our recent Digital Motivators in Housing Bootcamp event in Glasgow.  Smart phones (and toothbrushes) a plenty, we were there to train up our very first cohort of Digital Motivators, immersing us in all things digital inclusion in housing.  We know that housing is a key sector to focus our digital inclusion efforts.  There's an estimated 1.17 million people living in social rented housing in Scotland who are 20% less likely to have the digital skills they need for life and work than people living in privately rented accommodation.  And it’s a sector well placed, with existing trusted relationships with tenants and knowledgeable and passionate staff.   We were able to bring 12 of those passionate staff members together, each representing a different housing organisation from the west of Scotland that are looking to develop their digital skills support to their tenants by creating in-house digital champions.    With their new ‘Digital Motivators’ hats on, we set about exploring key issues and challenges, best practice approaches to digital inclusion support and how their organisations would get the most out of digital champion activity.  Add into the mix a range of excellent case studies for inspiration including [Thenue Housing Association](http://www.thenuehousing.co.uk/) telling us all about their [CLIC project](https://youtu.be/EBn58bzNXxY), we started planning what digital inclusion activities they would develop, how and with who on returning to their organisations after the 2-day event.  The residential element of the Bootcamp was novel for most attending and some wondered if the ‘Bootcamp’ title meant we might even be getting them to do the odd press-up in between sessions!  With no press-ups in sight, its aim was to create a safe, supportive and confidential space for our Digital Motivators to share and explore in turn helping to build their peer network.  This worked so well that they’re now continuing to support each other with an online Slack Group and are looking at future face-to-face meet ups as their digital inclusion activities progress.   The feedback from our Digital Motivators Bootcamp was positive and it reassured us to know that they felt more confident as digital inclusion practitioners and better equipped to deliver digital skills support after taking part.  _"The 2-day session was quick paced and engaging, and I came away not only with a plan of how to move forward, but with existing networks strengthened and new and exciting links formed that will help to implement this plan for the benefit of customers and colleagues alike.’ - Debs Allan, Linstone Housing Association_  _"Brilliant connections with staff from other Housing Associations.  There was a lot of energy in the group and really good range of skills and approaches" - Ben Hallett, Hanover Housing Association_ . With our ongoing support and training we’re excited to see what digital inclusion activities come to life; and with a **further 2 cohorts planned in September** for the east and north of Scotland there’s even more to be excited about on the digital inclusion in housing front. Applications for our future cohorts are open with a **deadline of 31****st** **May**.  You can read more about our digital champions in social housing opportunity along with accessing the application form on our website [here](https://scvo.org/digital/participation/digital-champions-in-social-housing).   We promise no press-ups will be involved but your Digital Motivator will need to remember their toothbrush! --- ## About SCVO SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector. Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact. SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector. Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners. Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored learning opportunities. SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience. Discounts and savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org). For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)