3tc, based in Liverpool, Merseyside, is a charity which aims to make Information and Communications Technology (ICT) accessible to voluntary and community organisations across Merseyside.

3tc developed from the community, for the community and today provides vital support to Merseyside's Voluntary, Community & Faith Sector

About 3tc, Merseyside Third Sector Technology Centre

The Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) provides vital services to the most vulnerable people in our society. Information Communications Technology (ICT) can significantly help in this regard. Unfortunately in the past frontline charities sometimes encountered difficulty in obtaining the most appropriate technological solution at suitably competitive prices. In the worst instances organisations risked being recommended inappropriate (and ultimately more costly) solutions from different suppliers. 3tc as a charitable infrastructure organisation was formed in part to help address this by meeting frontline charities ICT and other needs across Merseyside. 

Brief history

The charity's roots can be traced back to the Sefton Neighbourhood Initiative Project (SNIP). Working out of a school classroom in a disadvantaged area of Merseyside with just one member of staff, SNIP initially provided print and design services to local community groups. It eventually expanded its range of services to include computer training for the VCFS.

In 2000 SNIP received Single Regeneration Budget funding that provided the catalyst for the organisations main period of growth. This included the acquisition of 16 Crosby Road North, now known as 3tc House, and the formation of the Merseyside Third Sector Technology Centre or 3tc for short, in 2002 as a registered charity (number 1003218) and company limited by guarantee (number 2528172).

3tc today

3tc offers the VCFS help and support to exploit the opportunities ICT provides. This includes the provision of ICT hardware, peripherals, software, network installations and maintenance contracts (as well as being able to source a whole range of other computer related material upon request). The charity has office space to let in 3tc House that fronts the A565 and is just 5 minutes walk from Waterloo train station. 3tc also provides conference and training facilities that are available for hire. Our recently refurbished main Boardroom can sit 20 delegates and has an interactive SMART Board, associated Notebook software, an integrated UF55 ceiling mounted projector and wall-mounted USB speakers.

The Boardroom is also used as 3tc House's Tender Resource Suite that can be hired by charities wishing to accelerate the process of putting a tender together.

To integrate our services the charity also offers ICT accredited and non-accredited training (including one-day 'taster' courses and bespoke training provision) as well as a Virtual Learning Environment that learners can access away from 3tc House. In addition 3tc can provide organisations with bespoke websites using powerful Content Management Systems as well as undertaking Print & Design work.

3tc together with its charitable and community oriented tenants have established 3tc House as a hub providing a range of help to some of the most vulnerable members of society. Services provided from the building include support for people suffering from dementia and their carers; child, adolescent and adult mental health services; support for homeless young people aged 16 to 18; advice, networking, partnership and development services for charities; and support for deaf, blind, visually impaired people and those with learning difficulties..

3tc's development over the years has very much involved a partnership between the public, private and voluntary sectors. We enjoy close links with important UK organisations whose valued support has been vital to the charity. To this end we would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Alliance & Leicester, the Baring Foundation, Government Office for the North West, International Centre for Digital Content, Liverpool John Moores University, Lloyds TSB Foundation, Northwest Regional Development Agency, O2, Unilever and the University of Liverpool for all their help and support.