The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB.
Tools & functionality
Digital tools are the apps and software that your users will access to engage with your online service delivery. This page provides an overview of some of the most commonly used tools in the charity sector. It aims to give concise practical guidance that you can then build on as you research for your own situation.
Three top tips
- Find an organisation that has already used the tool you like and learn from them.
- Choose tools that are available to everyone. This keeps costs low and removes the need for complicated briefs to developers.
- Be clear about service remit with your users and your team (staff and volunteers).
Common tools
These are common ways to deliver digital services. We have included examples of tools that we know are used by many charities already. You should do your own further research before deciding which tools are right for your users and your service.
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Communications Platform
Communications platform
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Webchat
Webchat
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Video calls
Video calls
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Bookings
Bookings
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Messenger services
Messenger services
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Chatbots
Chatbots
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Online forms
Online forms
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Webinar services
Webinar
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eLearning and Virtual Learning Environments
Elearning
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Video streaming services
Video stream
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Community building platforms
Community building
Many digital services will require a combination of more than one tool. Our partners The Catalyst are creating service recipes- practical guides that describe how charities have used tools in combination to deliver digital services.