VCSE AI Peer Network – A New Chapter in Responsible AI for Social Impact
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly shaping the way organisations operate, yet for many in the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, AI remains a complex and uncertain space. On 26 February 2025, we launched the VCSE AI Peer Network—an initiative by Tech4Good South West, designed to help charities, community groups, and social enterprises navigate AI’s potential ethically and practically.
With 35 attendees, including existing members of Tech4Good South West, this first session laid the foundation for a collaborative, peer-led approach, supported by our AI skills, facilitation expertise, and visiting experts from the community. The network aligns closely with national efforts such as the Charity AI Taskforce, which is exploring how charities can leverage AI to better serve their missions while addressing risks around ethics, bias, and accessibility.
Why an AI Peer Network?
VCSE organisations face increasing pressure—rising costs, growing demand, and stretched resources. AI has the potential to ease some of these challenges, but many organisations feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start. This peer network is here to:
Demystify AI—making it accessible, practical, and ethical.
Bridge the gap between social impact and AI innovation—bringing charities and technologists together.
Foster a shared learning space—from curious beginners to experienced users.
Why people joined the launch
Our first session brought together an incredible mix of voices—from funders, researchers, community leaders, and social enterprises to AI practitioners and digital inclusion advocates. People joined because they believe in the power of technology to drive positive change and want to ensure AI is accessible, ethical, and beneficial for all.
Some participants are at the start of their AI journey, eager to develop knowledge and skills, while others are already using AI in fundraising, service delivery, marketing, and research. Many are exploring AI’s potential in social care, domestic abuse support, environmental challenges, and civic sector data use. They see AI as a way to work smarter, create efficiencies, and strengthen the impact of their organisations.
For some, the motivation is deeply personal—whether it’s advancing human rights, ensuring tech benefits everyone in society, or tackling bias in AI to create more inclusive systems. Others are working on AI-powered customer service tools, qualitative research analysis, or supporting innovation within their regions and sectors. There was a shared enthusiasm for partnerships, collaboration, and making AI a tool for good rather than a distraction or a burden.
Discussions
Lightning Talk with WECIL: AI Supporting Disabled Communities
Dominic Ellison, CEO of WECIL (West of England Centre for Inclusive Living) delivered a great talk on how AI is already helping people living with disabilities to navigate services, access knowledge, and shape their own support.
WECIL have developed an AI-powered chatbot, Cecil - an Easy-Read Chatbot providing clear, structured, and accessible responses to frequently asked questions from across their community to help understand their rights and entitlements. Cecil has been designed to enable disabled people to find answers independently, rather than forcing them to navigate complex systems, and uses predetermined pathways to guide users to the right knowledge.
WECIL have also been developing AI as a tool for operational efficiency, including a Bid Bot, trained on strategy documents, KPIs, and impact evaluations to assist with funding bids. AI is also supporting Board meeting preparations, summarising key reports, and ensuring discussions remain focused and data-driven. This practical use of AI demonstrates how it can be shaped to serve communities—not the other way around.
Barriers & Opportunities
Common barriers identified by attendees to further exploring with AI included:
Feeling overwhelmed—knowing where to start.
Staff resistance—some teams are anti-AI or hesitant to engage.
How to select the right tools—what’s available and relevant?
Data privacy concerns—ensuring compliance and security.
Fear of technology—lack of confidence in using AI.
Cost—is AI financially viable for small charities?
Time & Skills—how to invest in AI learning alongside existing work?
However, there are huge opportunities for AI in the VCSE Sector, including:
Making services more accessible, improving engagement for diverse communities.
Boosting internal efficiencies - automating admin tasks, supporting HR and finance functions and data analysis.
Our mission with the network is to build bridges across sectors - enabling collaboration between AI experts and social impact organisations, and importantly helping VCSE sector organisations to use AI confidently and ethically.
The session has clearly laid out what people want to see from the network and will be built into the sessions over the coming year.
This includes:
How to protect people’s data when using AI tools,
Practical support in understanding which tools to use and why,
Hands-on practical support to start using AI for day-to-day tasks and delivering services,
Networking opportunities for those already adopting AI to share experiences and learning
Access to AI skills from within the Tech4Good South West membership
Creating a place for the network members to share how they are using tools to build on existing ideas instead of starting from scratch
Looking Ahead: A Network Built Around Its Members
The VCSE AI Peer Network will grow around the people who join it. This isn’t a pre-set programme—it’s an evolving space where organisations can shape future discussions based on real challenges, access practical AI tools & training relevant to their work and importantly receive expert support—Tech4Good South West will bring in visiting AI experts tailored to the network’s needs.
We’ll be hosting:
8 online sessions on AI ethics, practical applications, and peer learning.
2 in-person AI events—including a potential “buildathon” for VCSE organisations in the South West based on the success of the recent 42London event.
How to Get Involved
Join the network & participate—get in touch at hello@tech4goodsouthwest.org
Become a Member of Tech4Good South West to sustain initiatives like this.
With the Digital Inclusion Action Plan driving national priorities, now is the time for the VCSE sector to take a leading role in shaping AI’s impact.
Join Tech4Good South West and become part of the VCSE AI Peer Network!
