Teacher Support Network has been nominated for a Charity Times Award for its innovative use of technology. The group of independent charities, that provides practical and emotional support to teachers and their families, has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Use of Technology’ category.

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this award” said Sally Baker, Client Experience Manager “we’ve worked hard with the technology to provide the best possible experience for our users, who are often already overwhelmed when they contact us.”

Teacher Support Network won the Charity Times ‘Best Use of the Web’ category in 2009 and has embraced the full range of its Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software ‘RightNow’, which is integrated throughout the charity and into its website. The system allows the charities to offer not only a 24/7 Support Line and email service, but also self-help resources online, interactive online tools, campaigns and surveys.

“The various services we offer demonstrate that there are many more uses for a CRM system than collecting information from callers or for strictly marketing purposes” adds Sally. “Utilising RightNow to create and deliver interactive tools, like the ‘Wheel of Wellbeing’ and ‘Work-Life Wizard’ on our website pushed the system beyond what it has done before. Our interactive tools have been accessed by teachers via our website over 12,600 times since they were launched throughout 2009.”

The nomination follows a significant increase in service usage. There was a 48% increase in total online interactions in 2009 compared to 2008. The charity attributes much of this rise to its introduction of interactive tools, the increased frequency of e-newsletters and the facility to understand its service user better.

The winners will be announced on 1 September 2010 at an Awards Gala. The other charities shortlisted with Teacher Support Network are Advance UK, Ellingham Employment Services, GMP in Action, Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home, Relate for parents, vInspired and Water Aid.