Collaboration for change: The Digital Services Consortium

We chat to Katie Ghose CEO at KIDS and Helen Milner OBE, Group Chief Executive of Good Things Foundation

 

In this conversation, Zoe and Paul chat to charity leaders Helen Milner OBE and Katie Ghose to discuss the critical importance of digital inclusion, including its impact on disabled children and their families.

Helen and Katie highlight the pioneering work of the Digital Services Consortium, an innovative alliance of twelve charities collaborating to design and deliver essential digital services and support. The discussion delves into the seismic shift caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and how it both accelerated the need for and exposed the severe barriers to technology access faced by marginalised communities.

This episode is a must-listen for all charity and cross-sector leaders, covering:

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  The impact of digital exclusion on mental health and social connections.

  
  


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  The significance of charity collaboration and community support in achieving social justice.

  
  


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  Practical advice for charity leaders on embedding digital inclusion in their strategies.

  
  


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  The crucial role of continuous feedback from users in improving service delivery.

  
  


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  A glimpse into the future, exploring the transformative potential of AI and technology in closing the digital divide.

  
  

Join us to learn how these leaders are working to ensure a world where everyone can benefit from digital.



Zoe and Paul also discuss AI developments including the UK government’s new AI Skills Framework.

 

KIDS charity https://www.kids.org.uk/

Digital Services Consortium https://www.kids.org.uk/digital-services-consortium/

Good Things Foundation https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/

Resources from Good Things Foundation:

https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-digital-inclusion-network

https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-databank



Channel 4 Dispatches programme on AI (Guardian story)

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/oct/21/channel-4-first-ai-presenter-dispatches?

Government AI Skills Framework https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-skills-for-the-uk-workforce

Editing and production - Paul Thomas

Music by Joseph McDade https://josephmcdade.com/music

Full transcript of this episode (srt file)

Full transcript of this episode (.txt file)

 

Transcripts are also available through your podcast app.