for Communities
 

About

Digital Voice works with participants often excluded from digital media, helping individuals and communities to gain a wide range of benefits. Our award-winning team supports partner organisations and clients to harness the power of digital to make life better, through sharing stories, growing skills and self-esteem and communicating key messages creatively.

Digital Voice is a multi-award-winning, not-for-profit social enterprise that has delivered digital inclusion projects since 2007. This short video gives examples of how people of all ages and abilities are using digital activities and skills to improve their lives.

Our six main programmes are listed on our Programmes page. These are tailored to your needs and use whichever forms of media are most suitable, from tablets to video, audio, digital photography, animation, digital installations, print and the web.

Elderly mother and Daughter looking through their memories on an ipad

" This is the best hands on learning experience I have attended "

Jean Bell
GeoStories Project

Our work would not be possible without our wonderful partners, funders and supporters. Many thanks to them all.

Many people and organisations have worked closely with Digital Voice since our social enterprise was founded in 2007, special thanks are owed to every one of you!


Awards

Judges Comments

“Digital Voice’s work in leveraging AI to empower young people, and promote digital inclusion, is vital. They loved how inspirational this initiative is and how technology is being creatively used to make a positive, lasting impact on communities - keep up the great work.”

Prolific North Tech Awards 2024

Best use of AI

Digital Voice were thrilled to win the Best use of AI award for programmes like DreamIt that really embraced the creative potential of the technology.

Find out more - https://www.digitalvoice.org.uk/news/award-winning-digital-voice-at-the-prolific-north-tech-awards


Judges Comments

"Both pieces of work submitted for this award share emotive stories of personal journeys and how our staff have supported children and young people living with adversity. Our colleagues and young people should be incredibly proud of not only what they have achieved through the DigitalMe projects, but of their bravery and dedication to improving the lives of other young people across the borough."

National Social Worker of the Year Awards 2024

Digital Transformation in Social Work Award

The Digital Voice team are delighted to have won the Gold Award in the category of Digital Transformation in Social Work, alongside our partner Gateshead Council, in the Social Worker of the Year Awards. 

The award recognised two of our pioneering DigitalMe projects which were co-produced with Gateshead Council’s Specialist Support Service, which includes Youth Justice and Domestic Abuse.

find out more - https://www.digitalvoice.org.uk/news/digital-voice-in-the-running-for-a-national-social-work-award?rq=award

Judges Comments

“Innovative, and powerful use of technology to give people affected by hate crime a voice, allowing them to own their stories.”

Zoe Amar, Digital Ambassador Judge

Digital Culture Awards 2023

Digital Ambassador Winner

Our Managing Director Julie Nicholson, won in the Digital Ambassador category in the national Digital Culture Awards run by the Arts Council and the Digital Culture Network.

find out more - https://www.digitalvoice.org.uk/news/and-the-winner-is-?rq=award

https://digitalculturenetwork.org.uk/knowledge/digital-culture-award-winner-case-study-julie-nicholson/

Comment from Digital Voice

We are very proud to be the first CIC to be set up in Gateshead and to have been recognised locally is very special to us.

Gateshead Awards 2023

Business in The Community

Digital Voice were thrilled to win the Business in The Community Award from Gateshead Council for outstanding services to the community of Gateshead.
Find out more - https://www.digitalvoice.org.uk/news/a-local-organisation-for-local-people-why-were-proud-to-call-gateshead-home?rq=gateshead

Judges Comments

“DigitalMe is an innovative programme which gives vulnerable groups or individuals the opportunity to share their lived experiences digitally. The judges felt this was a wonderful and impactful service for a worthwhile cause. Very impressive work, well done to all involved!” 

Prolific North Tech Awards 2022

Tech For Good Winner DigitalMe: Voices of Experience

We’re proud to have won the Tech for Good award at the Prolific North Tech Awards for our DigitalMe programme.


Find out more - https://www.digitalvoice.org.uk/news/and-the-winner-is-us?rq=award

Judges Comments

‘‘Digital Voice for Communities have tackled a real problem prevalent in society with innovative solutions that teach vulnerable and excluded people new skills, putting them at the centre of their story and having fun along the way. We were very impressed with the suite of options available that enable bespoke projects to be built, depending on the needs of the individual or community involved.”

North East Innovation Awards

Social Enterprise Award

Our team was delighted to have been recognised at the 2022 North East Innovation Awards.
Steve Key, Innovation Lead from Believe Housing who sponsored the award, was struck by the impact our work has, and how we manage to help people in such innovative ways.

We are so proud to work with a team of innovators who work so hard to reach people who are digitally excluded.

Judges Comments

“the clear winner of the category”

“An ingenious and affecting method of motivating children with tough stories to raise awareness of their experiences and get policymakers onside”

“A lovely, humanising project”

“An excellent use of technology — anonymity of users to produce creative interaction/engagement”.

The 2018 Royal Television Society in the region

Technology Innovation Award

The project was commissioned by Gateshead Council’s Children’s Rights Service because of its pioneering and creative techniques to “give a digital voice” to people who need to retain anonymity. It was also funded by The Ragdoll Foundation.

More than 400 people from the media industry saw the trophy presented by Sky Television’s Pete Graves to Julie Nicholson, DV Director, along with project developers Ronnie Johnston and Robin Cowings. Gateshead’s Children’s Rights Worker Chris Hulme praised the DigitalMe service as

“a great project from a great organisation.”

 

Meet the Team

 
 

Julie Nicholson

Managing Director

Julie Nicholson is founding co-director and Managing Director of Digital Voice for Communities.  She set up the organisation in 2007.

She is an award-winning filmmaker and has worked since 2001 as a facilitator of film and digital media projects in a range of settings. 

She has also worked as a housing adviser at Citizen’s Advice, a TEFL teacher and youth and community worker which have helped her understand the importance of skills development and giving a voice to the most vulnerable.



Jan Debognies

Operations Manager

Jan is passionate about digital inclusion and digital storytelling and has been working internationally in the field as trainer, manager, coach and fundraiser for 10 years. Jan has been working with Digital Voice for Communities since 2017. He is enthusiastic about the creative potential of digital media and how it can empower people who are at risk of being excluded. He is also a qualified teacher.

Chanise Armstrong

Project Worker

Chanise has a passion for creative and digital media, graduating with a degree in Contemporary Media Practice from the University of Westminster. Chanise joined Digital Voice as a volunteer in 2018 going on to do a Business Admin Apprenticeship within the organisation leading to her being employed as the Admin Assistant. She is also one of our freelance creative team and is a trained youth worker.

Susan Mulholland

Project Manager/Copywriter

Susan works for Digital Voice as a Project Manager, overseeing our courses and projects. She has over 20 years’ experience in the North East's cultural sector. She is a skilled creative producer who has established a range of creative programmes and regular events for children and young people to engage in arts activity. Susan is also a playwright, specialising in work for very young children and their families - her work is diverse in subject but always maintains a sense of humour and wonder about the world in which we live.   

 

Rhys Williams

Business Administration Apprentice

Rhys is a Business Administration Apprentice for the organisation, combining youthful energy with strong technical skills. He assists on courses, supports operations, and has a passion for digital media. With flexibility across devices and an eye for creative solutions, he keeps a rubber duck on hand to lift the spirits.

Ben Hunter

Digital Media Worker

Ben is the Digital Media Worker for the organisation, writing and scheduling social media posts as well as assisting on courses and filming. He studied Media Production at college where he achieved a Level 3 Diploma, as well as a Level 2 Diploma in IT. He worked for Collectables on their social media channels before looking for something different. 

Alison Fisher

Project Manager

With an extensive experience in project management in the artistic and charitable sector, Alison started with Digital Voice in 2023. Following years of volunteering in museums as a teenager, Alison went on to gain a History BA and Museum Studies MA from Newcastle University, where she completed a thesis on effective evaluation of community outreach work. Alison went on to become Exhibition Curator at Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books, collaborating with authors, illustrators and community groups to curate exhibitions which toured nationally. Alison also worked with NSPCC, which grew her interest in working directly with communities to ensure safe access to the digital world. Alison's role is funded by The National Lottery.

 

Ronnie Johnston

Freelance Creative

Ronnie Johnston is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with over 25 years’ experience. He has a strong track record in community filmmaking, particularly with young people and adults with learning disabilities. Ronnie was the founder of the ‘Gateshead Community Reporting Unit’ and has worked with Digital Voice since 2007. He has developed several of our programmes, including DigitalMe and is an experienced digital inclusion trainer.

Andrew Coats

Freelance Creative

Andrew Coats is a professional film maker who has been working with our team since 2005, before Digital Voice even became a CIC!

He regularly works on our creative media projects and has particular expertise in working with people with additional needs.


Laura Crow

Freelance Creative

Laura Crow is a professional filmmaker and animator, with expertise in community digital projects. She started volunteering with us on graduating from Northumbria University then went on to work on the Culture Shock digital storytelling project. For some years now she has lectured in media and has worked with us since 2007.

Robin Cowings

Freelance Creative

Robin Cowings is a professional photographer and photography lecturer. He has been working with our team since 2002, before Digital Voice became a CIC! He is our PhotoClub resident photographer and regularly works on our other creative media projects. He was part of the Digital Voice team that won an RTS award for innovation for DigitalMe in 2019.

Sarah McConkey

Freelance Creative

Sarah is a talented artist and teacher. She studied Fine Art at university and once she’d completed her Masters she continued her practise as a painter until her children were born. After she became a mother, she focussed on teaching at Sunderland College. Sarah was selected to exhibit a painting at the National Portrait Gallery in London as part of the BP Portrait Prize as well as winning awards for her work.

 

Directors

 

Jim Pickles

Treasurer

Jim Pickles has been Digital Voice’s treasurer since 2019. He is a chartered accountant with broad financial and general management experience in large and small companies. As well as his professional career, he has many years of experience as a volunteer trustee for a range of charities.

Elaine Scott

Director

Elaine Scott has been a Digital Voice director since 2011 and is also Centre Manager at North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence. Her career has given her enormous experience in areas relating to marketing, public relations, strategic focus, and project and people management.

Monjer Rachid

Director

Monjer is a founding co-director of Digital Voice for Communities.  He has extensive experience in youth and community work, and has worked for a range of organisations including Princes Trust. 

He is passionate about equality and justice and is an activist in the areas of enterprise, leadership, volunteering, and creative arts. 

Monjer is a well known trainer and consultant, and has a portfolio ranging from Participatory Techniques, Equality & Diversity, Youth Leadership, and Event Management.

Olwyn Hocking

Company Secretary

Olwyn is a founder director of Digital Voice for Communities. Her career of editorial and managerial experience spans print journalism, broadcasting (BBC, ITV.) Fellow of the Royal Television Society, awarded lifetime membership of the National Union of Journalists, former advisor to Ofcom (the UK’s communications regulator).

Terry Kirkham

Chair

Terry joined DV in 2019 with the task of supporting the Managing Director in the development of the business with an emphasis on strategic matters.

Terry has a wealth of experience gained from an international career with roles including sales operations and CEO. Since 2008 he has run his own business consultancy, assisting companies with strategic and operational issues.

 
 

Further information on Governance of our social enterprise, including Director roles and responsibilities contact us to request.

Interested in working with us?
We’d love to hear from you!

Have a look at our range of programmes