Monthly news from @digibrum

A digest of digital and smart city activities during October, which are headed up by Councillor Lisa Trickett, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Chair of the Smart City Commission.

MAKING IT REAL WITH OPEN DATA

We are working with the Smart City Commission and partners to help shape the future direction of Birmingham’s data agenda, which will form part of a briefing paper for wider circulation and feedback. The aim is to look at how we can gain better insights from data (open, closed, proprietary and personal) that will enhance decision-making to enable more targeted and preventative interventions around for example health, and the delivery of new products and services through the private and third sector.

A recent workshop provided the starting point to look at data from a citizen perspective through a day-in-the-life of two older people living in East Birmingham to understand their daily needs and challenges from getting to their GP surgery through to enjoying use of the local amenities; then reflect on the type of data that could help to improve their daily lives to support their independence.

Further workshops are planned to define the data journey and the underpinning infrastructure and tools to support the better modelling and visualisation of data. If you would like to get involved please email: nikki.spencer@birmingham.gov.uk

CITY STAFF BECOME DIGITAL CHAMPIONS

The European project ‘My Work Journey’ which has assisted over 350 unemployed citizens get back into work using digital technologies, funded 105 places for front-line council and third sector staff to undertake an online course provided by Digital Unite.

Staff completed online training modules that improved their skills in being able to support citizens and improve their digital literacy, in turn equipping them with the right skills to show customers how best to make use of digital technologies and it's offering.

See the video highlights from the week-long Summer Camp here

'STEAM' SUMMER CAMPERS GET CREATIVE!

Digital Birmingham sponsored a bursary place for a child to attend, who may not otherwise have benefited, at the first ever Birmingham Open Media (BOM) Summer Camp.

The Summer Camp was Birmingham's first STEAM focussed summer scheme, inspiring creativity through science, technology, engineering, arts and maths. Thirteen 7-11 year olds took part in structured activities ranging from art, design, coding, electronics, robotics and stop motion animation with each child taking home their creation. Watch the video above to find out more.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Fusion Meetup (12 November 2015 at The Studio, Birmingham) is an informal social gathering of industry leaders and technology professionals that get together once a quarter to enjoy a variety of short, thought provoking presentations and networking.
For more information and to book your place, please visit the organisers Eventbrite page.

Code Club is a nationwide network of free volunteer-led after school coding clubs for children aged 9-11.
Meet their West Midlands based volunteers on 26th November 2015 at the Google Digital Garage who are based at The Library of Birmingham to hear more about what they do as well as get involved. More...

Google's Digital Garage mentoring sessions are available to small businesses in Birmingham, where they have the chance to seek digital advice from one of Google's expert mentors.
The Garage is open every day of the week and is based at the Library of Birmingham.
For more information please visit https://digitalgarage.withgoogle.com/

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Below is a selection of some of the funding available to entrepreneurs and businesses in the region as well as discussion groups to have your say on local initiatives.

See a range of funding and business support advice available to start-ups and SMEs; from access to loans, business assist programmes and recruitment advice. More...

The GBSLEP Growth Hub is an online portal for all business advice, funding and support which is available to businesses in the Greater Birmingham area. More...

Startup Direct is the founding delivery partner for the government backed Start up Loans scheme. Providing; funding, mentoring and support to businesses based in England. More...

Contribute your ideas to Birmingham's Smart City Roadmap and aspirations here and tell us about the activities and projects you're working on.
Follow conversations online using #smartbrum.

Birmingham City Council has two live consultations:

What data you would like to see made open to the public?
What do you want the future of Waste in Birmingham to look like?

If you'd like further information on any of the topics covered above, please call the team on 0121 303 8779.

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