Author Archives: Andrew Collins

  1. You Don’t Need an App – A Digital Solution for Connect

    by Andrew Collins | 10th Jan 2024

    This blog is a case study from our DigiCymru service, which offers free, short, 1-to-1 support to third-sector organisations in Wales. Connect is just one organisation that has contacted the service to ask for advice and help to find solutions to their problem.

    You don’t need an app to send push notifications!

    What is Connect?

    Connect is run by Adoption Cymru and funded by the National Adoption Service. It is the national service for adopted children and young people.

    They hold monthly meetings which aim to improve the self-confidence of the children and young people they work with. They help build self-esteem, reduce the sense of isolation that some adopted children experience, and develop life skills.

    This is achieved by offering a range of activities such as art, drama, circus skills, healthy eating/cooking, music etc.

    What problem did Connect face?

    Ahead of the DigiCymru session, Connect gave their digital challenge:

    “We want to explore whether we should develop an app for use by young people.”

    In the kickoff meeting with Andrew Collins, ProMo Cymru’s Senior Digital Manager, Ann and Fran from Adoption Cymru explained that they find engaging with their young people challenging. Due to the sensitive nature of the adoption process, they do not keep any young people’s data and only have basic contact details for their parents.

    Connect has a project website that advertises meet-up groups where adopted young people can meet in a safe space and participate in various fun activities. However, Ann and Fran have difficulties directly sharing that information with their young people.

    They felt that a new app, which young people and their parents could download, would allow them to send push notifications without needing personal information.

    They were concerned this would be a significant amount of work to create. They’d have to update both the website and the app, creating more work and expense in the long term.

    Finding a digital solution

    App development can take a lot of time and be pricey. We looked at tools that allow you to send push notifications easily, like an app, without developing something new.

    AppyPie allows you to easily convert your existing website into an app. Downloadable from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

    AppyPie also:

    – Enables staff to send push notifications to their service users
    – Is a no-code solution with a low barrier to entry
    – Takes content from your website, so there is no need to update both the website and app
    – Costs just £10p/m, so it’s a very affordable solution and much cheaper than developing a new app from scratch

    If you’re interested in getting a free one-to-one DigiCymru session for your third-sector organisation, get yourself booked in with one of our digital experts to help find a digital solution for you.

    This case study is funded through Third Sector Digital Support, a National Lottery Community Fund project to support the Welsh Third Sector with digital. To find out more about how this project can support your organisation, click the link or contact andrew@promo.cymru

  2. Supporting The Venture to Digitise their Admin Processes

    by Andrew Collins | 13th Dec 2023

    This blog is a case study from our DigiCymru service, which offers free, short, 1-to-1 support to third-sector organisations in Wales. The Venture is just one organisation that has contacted the service to ask for advice and help to find solutions to their problem.

    The Venture logo - cartoon of an adult man and child holding hands coming out of the gate of a playground

    What is The Venture?

    The Venture was started in 1978 when local young people helped build an adventure playground on a semi-official rubbish tip. It has grown over the years to become one of the UK’s leading children, young people, and family local organisations.

    The Venture is based in Caia Park in Wrexham, the largest council housing estate in Wales, which has the highest levels of child poverty in Wales, according to the End Child Poverty Campaign.

    What problem did The Venture face?

    The Venture is an open playground where young people come and go as they please after school and on weekends. The play area is manned by several staff members, who sign in young people as they arrive and sign them out as they leave.

    At the moment, that process is all done via pen and paper. This created significant problems for the organisation, especially regarding reporting, maintaining a user database, and keeping track of their data.

    Reporting

    At the end of each reporting block, one staff member had to take home all the paper copy registers from the last six months. This meant they had to manually add around 150 registers and enter them into a spreadsheet. This was a laborious process but also came with significant data security risks and the possibility of misplacing or damaging the registers and losing the data.

    User database

    In addition to the paper registers, which monitored daily attendance, they had a different one-off sign-up form, completed whenever a new young person attended. This listed all the important information about the young person, such as allergies, additional needs, emergency contact info, etc. The issue is that these forms were kept in a locked cupboard inside the building. If there was an emergency, a staff member had to leave the playground to go to the office, find the key, and go through all the membership forms to find the emergency contact details.

    Lack of data

    As these records were all kept on paper, they were not linked. As such, extracting data about who was attending the playground was difficult. For example, they couldn’t easily determine where most users came from, how old they were, who attended often and infrequently, etc. This meant it was difficult to make decisions based on data that was readily available to them.

    The Venture wanted to know if there were any digital tools that could improve this process.

    Screen grab from the Plinth resource showing how to add members details to the platform

    Finding a digital solution

    The Venture met with Andrew Collins, ProMo Cymru’s Senior Digital Manager, to discuss what digital tools could provide a solution.

    Plinth, formerly TimeToSpare, is a Community Impact Platform that connects data from different organisations to help community programmes deliver and understand the impact.

    Plinth acts like a digital register, allowing you to create a database of all your service users, including custom details such as allergies, addresses and emergency contact numbers.

    Once set up, you can quickly and easily check users in and out of the venue, with Plinth keeping a record of attendance.

    Screen grab from the Plinth resource showing how to get a table of demographics and attendances for reports

    You can also create reports in just a matter of clicks, giving more significant insights into your users. This could be used to find geographical hotspots, the busiest time of day, or even the average number of daily users.

    These tools make reporting to funders easier, giving greater insight into the number of people supported, which helps demonstrate the service’s impact.

    As Plinth can be used on a smartphone or tablet, all the information that staff need is at their fingertips, meaning they can quickly check user details, such as allergies or emergency contact information, without having to go to the office.

    Plinth is free for community organisations, which makes it an excellent option for third-sector organisations.

    Screen grab from the Plinth resource showing active users by borough for reporting purposers

    Outcomes

    After three sessions meeting with us as part of our free DigiCymru service, The Venture has begun trialling Plinth with staff to see whether it could replace their current paper system.

    As with any new tool, there is a period of change where staff are asked to learn new things and do things differently. Organisational change can be tricky, but if the tool is easy to use and solves problems, it makes the transition smoother for staff.

    Third Sector Digital Support written in capitals in white on a background of orange, pink and purple circles blended together

    This case study is funded through Third Sector Digital Support, a National Lottery Community Fund project to support the Welsh Third Sector with digital. To find out more about how this project can support your organisation, click the link or contact andrew@promo.cymru

  3. [Closed] Funding and Development Officer 

    by Andrew Collins | 8th Nov 2023

    An exciting opportunity to join the ProMo-Cymru team as a Funding and Development Officer. 

    Funding and Development Officer 
    35 hours per week (Part-time/job share option)
    Salary £24,410 – £29,250 
    Permanent contract (subject to funding) 

    About ProMo-Cymru 

    ProMo-Cymru is a registered charity with a trading arm. We work to ensure young people and communities are informed, engaged, connected, and heard. 

    We work collaboratively to make links between people and services using creativity and digital technology. Supporting the third and public sectors to imagine, test and create better services. 

    ProMo works with communities through communications, advocacy, cultural engagement, digital and media production. Our work is informed by over 20 years of delivering digital youth information projects. We share this knowledge through training and consultancy, forming long term partnerships to benefit people and organisations. 

    ProMo has seen considerable innovation and growth in the last 30 years. We appreciate the importance of qualifications and experience, but we are also looking for right individuals who can bring something new and different to our organisation. 

    We balance teamwork, autonomy and a sense of responsibility in improving our services and products. We work hard for our clients and partners and enjoy sharing the rewards with them. Employees are encouraged to be part of the leadership and decision-making process, giving personal attention to others and making each individual feel uniquely valued. 

    We are looking for colleagues that are able to work to these values. We require proactive people with drive, clarity and vision. If you feel you meet the above, we are recruiting and we’d love to hear from you! 

    About the Role 

    We are seeking a Funding and Development Officer with a talent for writing and a passion for making a real difference. In this role, you will support and be supported to increase ProMo’s income generation while growing your skills to develop compelling narratives based on the needs of the communities we work with and helping our clients realise their ambitions.    

    You will play a crucial role in supporting income generation at ProMo by sourcing, coordinating and securing funding from a mix of grants, trusts, foundations and trading activity.  

    We need someone who can work as part of a team to create innovative projects and compelling proposals across the worlds of youth work, community development, digital and design. Our staff will share their experience, and in turn, you will help shape the work we deliver into diverse and sustainable income streams.   

    We emphasise a collaborative approach to funding and business development, you’ll be working across a staff team of 50 delivering dozens of exciting projects and will be supported by the Senior Funding Manager in your own professional development. 

    For further information on who we are and our projects please visit: ProMo Cymru: www.promo.cymru 

    Download the application pack  

    Job Description
    Application Form

    Closing Date:   

    Sunday 3rd December 

    Interview Dates  

    11th & 12th December, in person, Cardiff Office. 

    For more information, please contact: people@promo.cymru 

    (029) 2046 2222 

    ProMo Cymru 
    17 West Bute Street  
    Cardiff Bay, CF10 5EP 

    www.promo.cymru

  4. [Closed] Digital Projects Officer 

    by Andrew Collins | 8th Nov 2023

    An exciting opportunity to join the ProMo-Cymru team as a Digital Projects Officer. 

    Digital Projects Officer
    35 hours per week 
    Salary £24,410 – £29,250 
    Permanent contract (subject to funding) 

    About ProMo-Cymru 

    ProMo-Cymru is a registered charity with a trading arm. We work to ensure young people and communities are informed, engaged, connected, and heard. 

    We work collaboratively to make links between people and services using creativity and digital technology. Supporting the third and public sectors to imagine, test and create better services. 

    ProMo works with communities through communications, advocacy, cultural engagement, digital and media production. Our work is informed by over 20 years of delivering digital youth information projects. We share this knowledge through training and consultancy, forming long term partnerships to benefit people and organisations. 

    ProMo has seen considerable innovation and growth in the last 30 years. We appreciate the importance of qualifications and experience, but we are also looking for right individuals who can bring something new and different to our organisation. 

    We balance teamwork, autonomy and a sense of responsibility in improving our services and products. We work hard for our clients and partners and enjoy sharing the rewards with them. Employees are encouraged to be part of the leadership and decision-making process, giving personal attention to others and making each individual feel uniquely valued. 

    We are looking for colleagues that are able to work to these values. We require proactive people with drive, clarity and vision. If you feel you meet the above, we are recruiting and we’d love to hear from you! 

    About the Role 

    Our Communications & Engagement team is looking for a creative, organised and self-motivated Digital Projects Officer who loves tech and has the experience and confidence to run a number of digital projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.  

    Our projects focus on supporting the third and public sector to create better services and enable youth and community voice through creativity and digital. We believe that young people and communities should have access to information, advocacy and support in a way that is easy to find, simple to understand in a format they can use. 
     
    Our trading services focus on digital transformation through: Service Design, Co-Designed Digital Media, Digital Youth Information and Training and Consultancy. 

    We’d like to hear from candidates with excellent communication and planning skills combined with experience of delivering digital projects.   

    About You 

    We’re looking for someone who takes initiative and thrives on the challenge of executing and developing a number of projects concurrently. You’ll be passionate about using digital to engage with young people or communities, and are in tune with the latest technological developments. The ideal candidate will have experience of working within the third and public sector, and training and supporting charities in tech or digital. 

    We value adaptable individuals who are keen to develop themselves, projects and ProMo-Cymru.  We will encourage and expect people to develop new skills and take on new responsibilities.  

    We are looking for the right people who share and work towards ProMo-Cymru’s values and ethos. We welcome people from all walks of life as we know that diverse minds, experiences and backgrounds help to encourage innovation and organisational performance. 

    For further information on who we are and our projects please visit: ProMo Cymru: www.promo.cymru 

    Download the application pack here  

    Job Description
    Application Form

    Closing Date:   

    Sunday 3rd December 

    Interview Dates  

    13th & 14th December, in person, Cardiff Office. 

    For more information, please contact: people@promo.cymru 

    (029) 2046 2222 

    ProMo Cymru 
    17 West Bute Street  
    Cardiff Bay, CF10 5EP 

    www.promo.cymru 

  5. [Closed] Volunteer Coordinator Vacancy

    by Andrew Collins | 6th Oct 2023

    Promo Cymru Ltd has a new and exciting opportunity for a Volunteer Coordinator to join our enthusiastic team at Ebbw Vale Institute.  The successful candidate will be responsible for the development and coordination of all volunteer activities, ensuring a positive and rewarding volunteer experience within EVI. 

    Contract: 12 months fixed contract 

    Location: Ebbw Vale Institute 

    Salary: £24,410 – £28,627 

    Starting Salary:  £24,410 

    Hours: 35 hours per week 

    Job Description 

    We are eager to recruit an enthusiastic and well-organised, Volunteer Coordinator to support and mentor our growing team of volunteers through their volunteer journey at EVI.  The role will involve: 

    1. Engaging with the local community to recruit new volunteers. 

    2. The completion of enrolment and volunteer agreement forms. 

    3. Mentoring volunteers and ensuring the completion of My EVI Journey, our volunteer individual learning plan. 

    4. Volunteer Induction, including Health & Safety training. 

    5. Working with Tempo Time Credits, Elite Clothing, Communities for Work Plus, and other community organisations to further promote and support volunteering opportunities within EVI. 

    6. Supporting existing volunteer opportunities within EVI and creating and developing further opportunities. 

    7. Working closely with the EVI team to support the community of Ebbw Vale and wider Blaenau Gwent through the development of services and activities. 

    8. Supporting the monitoring and reporting to UKSPF People and Skills through Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. 

    Closing Date: 27th October 2023 

    Interview Date: w/c 6th November 2023 

    Contact:  info@promo.cymru 

    Job Description
    Employee Specification
    Application Form

  6. [Closed] Job Opportunity: Helpline Roles

    by Andrew Collins | 4th Dec 2023

    ProMo-Cymru has two job opportunities to join the Social Action Team, working across multiple helplines.

    Renewed for another 4 years in 2022, the award winning Meic Cymru service is expanding and developing. Working in the Social Action Team, you will deliver rights-based and person-centred information, advice, assistance and advocacy helpline services to children, young people parents, carers and professionals.

    Helplines Operations Manager

    £31,301 – £36,680

    Closing Date: 5pm, Friday 29th December

    Interview Date: 25th January 2024

    Job Description
    Application Form

    Electronic application forms are to be forwarded to: info@promo.cymru

    Helplines Adviser Advocates

    £24,410-£28,627

    Closing Date: 5pm, Friday 29th December

    Interview Date: 24th January 2024

    Job Description
    Application Form

    Electronic application forms are to be forwarded to: info@promo.cymru

    Both posts are office and /or home-based

    You will:

    – enjoy stimulating, challenging, and rewarding work
    – make a positive connection with a wide range of people
    – make a positive difference with people who contact you
    – exercise a positive team influence
    – work shifts including evenings and weekends (Adviser Advocates only)

    Ideally you will be able to:

    – communicate in Welsh or be willing to learn

    Closing Date: 5pm, Friday 29th December

    Enhanced DBS required.

    For information, please contact: info@promo.cymru

    Electronic application forms are to be forwarded to: info@promo.cymru

    ProMo-Cymru is committed to equality of opportunity.

    ProMo Cymru Ltd is a registered Charity No: 1094652 Limited Company No: 1816889

  7. [Closed] Job Opportunity: Finance Development Officer

    by Andrew Collins | 1st Aug 2023

    An exciting opportunity to join the ProMo-Cymru team as a Finance Development Officer, supporting and improving our central and back-office finance functions.

    About Us:

    ProMo-Cymru is a registered charity with a trading arm. As an organisation, we work to ensure young people and communities are informed, engaged, connected, and heard.

    Find out more about ProMo-Cymru at www.promo.cymru 

    The Post:

    Reporting to our Finance Manager, you will provide us with support to run and improve many of our finance functions. We’re looking for someone with energy, ideas, and a positive, can-do approach. You’ll be joining and contributing to a forward-thinking team of people and an organisation that seeks to improve the lives of individuals and communities.

    Additional Information

    – Starting salary – £24,410 working a 35-hour week

    – Holidays – 23 days plus public holidays 

    – Mobile phone allowance

    – Flexible hours and working arrangements

    – Hybrid working

    How to Apply 

    Job Description
    Employee Specification
    Application Form

    Electronic application forms are to be forwarded to: info@promo.cymru

    Closing date – 11 August at 5pm

    Interviews – week commencing 21st August

  8. [Closed] Job Opportunity: Helpline Roles

    by Andrew Collins | 19th Oct 2022

    ProMo-Cymru has three job opportunities to join the Social Action Team, working across multiple helplines.

    Renewed for another 4 years, the award winning Meic Cymru service is expanding and developing. Working in the Social Action Team, you will deliver rights-based and person-centred information, advice, assistance and advocacy helpline services to children, young people parents, carers and professionals.

    Helplines Manager

    £31,301 – £35,799

    Closing Date: 5pm, Monday 7th November 2022

    Job Description
    Application Form

    Electronic application forms are to be forwarded to: info@promo.cymru

    Helplines Adviser Advocates

    £23,471 – £27,526

    Closing Date: 5pm, Monday 7th November 2022

    Job Description
    Application Form

    Electronic application forms are to be forwarded to: info@promo.cymru

    Helplines Support Officer

    £18,411 – £22,2769

    Closing Date: 5pm, Monday 7th November 2022

    Job Description
    Application Form

    Electronic application forms are to be forwarded to: info@promo.cymru

    All posts are office and /or home-based

    You will:

    – enjoy stimulating, challenging, and rewarding work
    – make a positive connection with a wide range of people
    – make a positive difference with people who contact you
    – exercise a positive team influence
    – work shifts including evenings and weekends (Adviser Advocates only)

    Ideally you will be able to:

    – communicate in Welsh or be willing to learn

    Closing Date: 5pm, Monday 7th November 2022
    Interview Dates: 22nd, 23rd, 24th November 2022 (in person / online TBC)

    Enhanced DBS required.

    For information, please contact: info@promo.cymru

    Electronic application forms are to be forwarded to: info@promo.cymru

    ProMo-Cymru is committed to equality of opportunity.

    ProMo Cymru Ltd is a registered Charity No: 1094652 Limited Company No: 1816889

  9. [Closed] Job Opportunity: Sessional Helpline Staff

    by Andrew Collins | 24th Jun 2022

    Sessional helpline staff provide back up cover for our helplines across ProMo-Cymru. The main helpline is Meic (for children and young people up to the age of 25; by phone, text and instant messaging; open 365 days per year, 8am to midnight). Other helplines are adult-focused.

    You will deliver rights based and person centred information, advice, assistance and advocacy helpline services to children young people, parents, carers and professionals.

    Sessional cover varies, from 2 hours up to 8 hours (a full shift with 1 hour’s worth of unpaid breaks) across days, evenings and weekends, paid at £14/ hour. Hours are negotiable subject to the need and expectations of ProMo-Cymru and individual sessional workers.

    Sessional cover is worked from home. This requires a quiet working space, access to a computer and the internet. Availability to attend the Cardiff office may be required from time to time. You will have the necessary experience and qualifications essential for the role, and be reliable.
    If you are interested, please:

    – read a copy of the Role Description and the Mutual Expectations document

    – complete and submit an up to date CV, a short personal statement (500 words max), contact details, and return to Pat Green: pat@promo.cymru

    We undertake recruitment up to 2x per year, so you will not hear from us until we are actively recruiting.

    By forwarding your personal information to us you are consenting to Promo-Cymru’s storage and use of your personal information exclusively for the purpose for which it is intended; it will not be shared / disclosed to anyone else. If your circumstances change and you are no longer available, please let us know so we can remove your details from our records.

    If you have any queries please contact Pat Green: pat@promo.cymru

  10. [Closed] Job Opportunity: Helpline Adviser Advocates

    by Andrew Collins | 24th Jun 2022

    Helpline Adviser Advocates (full-time, part time)
    Cardiff office and/or home based
    Salary: £23,471

    Renewed for another 4 year term, the award winning Meic service is expanding and developing. Working in the Social Action Team you will deliver rights based and person-centred information, advice, assistance and advocacy helpline services to children, young people parents, carers and professionals.

    You will be able to:

    – make a positive connection with a wide range of people

    – make a positive difference with people who contact you

    – exercise a positive team influence

    – work shifts including evenings and weekends

    Ideally, you will be able to:

    – communicate in Welsh or be willing to learn

    Closing Date: 9am Monday, 18 July 2022

    Interview Dates: 26, 27, 28 July, 2022

    Enhanced DBS required.

    Applications packs are available to download below:

    Job Description

    Application Form

    Electronic application forms to be forwarded to: info@promo.cymru

    ProMo-Cymru is committed to equality of opportunity.

    ProMo Cymru Ltd is a registered Charity No: 1094652 Limited Company No: 1816889