UKGovHack 2016 is Just Over a Week Away!
This post contains the copy from an email we have just sent to all of the UKGovHack attendees.
Hello wonderful GovHackers!
With the event just over a week away, we wanted to say a quick hello, explain how everything is going to work and get everyone super excited for UKGovHack 2016.
Who are you, anyway?
UKGovHack is a project by Rebel Labs — a social enterprise committed to creating meaningful learning opportunities for absolutely everyone — regardless of age, gender, background or existing ability. The Rebel Labs team are Julia (@gabysslave), Nat (@exsanguinator), Kate (@katemcddd) and Kevin (@_phzn).
If you have any questions, issues, or just want a chat (we’re all sorts of fun), you can get hold of us on Twitter or using [firstname]@rebellabs.co.uk. If you want to get hold of the whole team, use @_rebellabs or ukgovhack@rebellabs.co.uk.
What’s going to happen?
As you know, UKGovHack is a mashup, with a hackathon and conference running concurrently on Saturday, and the hackathon concluding on Sunday. We’ve tried really hard to curate an open and accessible event that will feel interesting and relevant to technologists, civil/crown servants, designers, researchers, subject enthusiasts and everyone in between. Hopefully, we’ll extend and strengthen the civic tech community by doing so.
Having crowdsourced ideas, sessions and feedback for the conference, we are really excited to announce the full schedule. We have filled all but one slot — so please do get in touch if you’d like to snap it up! Head to ukgovhack.com/schedule to see what delights you can look forward to on the day.
I want a say in what’s going to happen
Funny you say that actually, because we’re inviting community feedback. At this stage in the planning, we would like to invite feedback and suggestions for hackathon challenges. The challenges will not be tied to a particular department or sponsor, and as such we hope to explore broader themes that affect the sector as a whole.
If you have a great idea for a challenge, or a general suggestion for the event we may not have thought of, please head over to ukgovhack.com and click the big red button asking for feedback and we’ll try hard to accommodate your suggestions.
How are you raising the cash to run the event?
For UKGovHack, we are experimenting with a new funding model which we are calling ‘Pay What You Want Sponsorship’. Sponsors (who may be public sector organisations or companies) and Supporters (individuals) are invited to pay absolutely any amount which is achievable for them, and all receive the same thing in return. If this interests you head to ukgovhack.com/sponsors, or please do get in touch with any questions.
So far, we have received support from the most awesome people at dxw, FutureGov, GitHub, National Audit Office, Open Data Institute, Parliamentary Digital Service, Qinetiq, Twilio and UKGovCamp.
That’s all, folks!
We’re really looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday 2nd at the NAO. Before we go, here’s a quick plea. If you can’t make the event, please please please do cancel your ticket as we have 136 people on our waitlist. If you don’t know how to do this, or are having problems, as ever just get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
Until next time,
The UKGovHack 2016 Team
