VCSE Digital Skills Survey

Digital skills shape how Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) reach people, deliver services, secure funding, and reduce adminstrative burden.

This report brings together the voices of 132 organisations across the South West to show where charities are confident, where they’re struggling, and what support is needed to close the gap.

In 2025 we invited VCSE organisations across the South West to take part in a Digital Skills Survey. We wanted to build a clearer picture of digital skills, challenges, and opportunities across the sector.

This was one of the first regional surveys of its kind, delivered by Tech4Good South West in partnership with Quartet Community Foundation. 

Why it exists

Digital skills are essential for how VCSEs deliver services, connect with communities, and collaborate, but they’re still underfunded, especially within smaller organisations. 

Our survey was designed to change that by providing real, local evidence to guide future support for tech-for-good initiatives. We heard from a wide range of VCSEs, including volunteer-led groups, frontline service providers and regional charities.

Thanks to the incredible input from organisations across the region, we’re developing a detailed report to:

• Understand  how organisations perceive their digital skills and confidence

• Identify key skills gaps and development needs

• Understand barriers to building digital confidence

• Inform regional approaches to digital skills support

Our hope is to run the survey annually, alongside the national Charity Digital Skills Survey, and support the region

What’s in the report

In the report, you’ll find:

• Clear evidence of where charities feel confident with digital, and where they feel left behind

• Insight into the biggest barriers holding organisations back, including time, funding, training, and leadership

• A regional view of digital skills compared with national trends

• Practical implications for charities, funders, infrastructure bodies, and the tech sector

Who it’s for

• VCSE leaders, staff and volunteers

• Local and combined authorities

• Funders

• Technologists and agencies