Author Archives: Nathan Williams

1. Why Accessibility Matters To Everyone

   by Nathan Williams | 21st Sep 2017

   ProMo-Cymru is helping charities find digital solutions to better communicate with users.

   We’re currently working with two charities that aim to increase the accessibility of their digital services and reflect the needs and voice of disabled people. We’ll shortly be showcasing this work.

   In this post, I’d like to share what I learnt through working with these charities and their users. Mainly how good design is important for everyone, and how it helped me.

   

   As part of developing new digital services for these organisations, we spoke to a range of users to understand how they used digital platforms. Their biggest frustration was the same as mine. Namely with badly designed services.

   Yet the outcome for this group was that they often had to work harder to access services. This was especially true when online access points were poor. This could result in having to undertake complex travel arrangements to meet service representatives in person. Sometimes it meant having to wait long periods of time so that arrangements could be put in place to meet their needs.

   Screen readers and text to speech apps

   What became clear is how services other than the government and the third sector are innovating to ensure online accessibility. One person I spoke to gave me a quick tutorial in how he used the accessibility settings on his iPhone. He showed me how an iPhone can read almost anything on the screen to you, as well as other functions. This was one of the most effective demonstrations that I’ve sat through. It took three minutes and has improved the quality of my life.

   

   The demonstration was a revelation because I suffer from an eye condition. It means I have to wear contact lenses rather than glasses to correct my vision. Without contacts reading is somewhat of a struggle. Trust me glasses don’t help.

   I’m a prolific reader. To feed my habit I sometimes stay up late reading. Yet I have to take my contacts out before I go to bed. The upshot of this iPhone demonstration was that I could have written online content read to me. This means I could take my contacts out and go to bed earlier. Waking up for my 6am start has become a little bit easier.

   Good online accessibility makes services easier to use for everyone

   Before seeing the accessibility software on iOS (and an alternative on Android called Pocket), the software I had seen used in the statutory and third sector was a bit dated. It was also hard to use and I couldn’t see myself using it. Experiencing audio reading has also given me an understanding of how badly-optimised websites can make text translation difficult to comprehend.

   

   From talking to people about their experience using online services, I’ve learnt that accessibility means that using services becomes easier for everyone. And through listening to other people’s voices we are able to strengthen our own.

   Everything starts with a conversation

   

   ProMo-Cymru works towards building positive change and lasting relationships between individuals, families and communities. Providing innovative and creative solutions through meaningful conversations and digital technology. If you’d like to discuss how our TEC Model can help your organisation then get in touch.

   029 2046 2222
   info@promo.cymru
   @ProMoCymru

   Cover Photo by Drew Graham on Unsplash

2. TEC Model: Meic & The Morning After Pill

   by Nathan Williams | 21st Aug 2017

   Innovation doesn’t come from technology alone. It comes from understanding how people interact with services. And how to be of value to an individual.

   That approach is at the heart of our TEC model.

   Meic is the advocacy, information and advice helpline service for children and young people in Wales. The service was designed to meet the needs of young people, by using ProMo-Cymru’s TEC model.

   Meic can be contacted by phone, text, and instant messenger. Young people decide what way they want communicate with the helpline. Meic’s advocate advisers are available 8am till midnight every day.

   Meic answers calls, texts and IMs about all kinds of issues. Recently, a distressed young person contacted Meic by text. They had had unprotected sex and were concerned about becoming pregnant.

   The young person wanted to get the morning after pill. Yet they were embarrassed. They were also concerned about confidentiality. So we talked to them about their choices. Then we explained professional confidentiality in clear terms.

   Next, we shared options about where they could get the morning after pill. Following on from this we explored the consequences of not taking any action. The young person made an informed decision. They decided to go to the pharmacy.

   

   Yet, on getting there the young person remained too embarrassed to talk. An advisor from Meic was then able to suggest that they show the pharmacist a written note on their phone.

   Soon afterwards the young person re-contacted the helpline. After showing the note to the pharmacist, they had been very supportive and helpful. They had obtained the morning after pill.

   This is what we mean by innovation and the TEC model. Highlighting how to engage and support through a human and digital approach.

   ---

   Contact us for a free consultation

   How can ProMo-Cymru’s TEC model help you achieve your goals? We have a Wales version and also a UK model available.

   029 2046 2222
   info@promo.cymru
   @ProMoCymru

3. Transform, Engage and Communicate (TEC Model)

   by Nathan Williams | 21st Jun 2017

   

   ProMo-Cymru works towards building positive change and lasting relationships between individuals, families and communities. Providing innovative and creative solutions through meaningful conversations and digital technology.

   Transform, Engage and Communicate: Our TEC Model

   ProMo-Cymru has devised a pioneering integrated digital communications model shaped by co-operative principles, one which we have successfully implemented through our projects such as TheSprout, Meic, CLIC, FamilyPoint Cymru and Bridgend Voice & Choice. Our unique Transform Engage and Communicate (TEC) model incorporates website, information & advocacy helpline, text messaging, online chat and social media and can be easily adapted for use with multiple audiences.

   Read about our TEC Model

   Download ProMo-Cymru’s TEC Model brochure

   Recent Welsh Government legislation emphasises that public sector bodies need to work better with people and communities and each other, prevent problems and take a more joined up approach. Social Services and Well-being Act Assessments in Wales highlight that citizens continue to find it hard to find out about and to access services. Information is often presented in inaccessible language with complex entry points which creates confusion for the end users.

   ProMo-Cymru has the knowledge, skills and capacity to directly deliver the services you require, or supply complex multi-contact point integrated communication channels and helplines. Our own engagement strategies with families who are digitally, geographically or socially isolated provide valuable insights into the further barriers and challenges facing them.

   We can play a vital role in helping you achieve your priorities as reflected in the Future Generations Act 2015 and Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

   Our own engagement strategies with families who are digitally, geographically or socially isolated provide valuable insights into the further barriers and challenges facing them. ProMo-Cymru aims to build on the success of our prevention and early intervention efforts, to provide the right response first time and to continue promoting and facilitating citizen, family and community resilience.

   Contact us for a free consultation

   ProMo-Cymru welcomes any feedback and will be developing methods that will enable people to contribute to further shaping the TEC model. If you would like to get in touch in the meantime please contact us:

   029 2046 2222
   marco@promo.cymru
   @ProMoCymru

4. Do Personal Branding and Social Action Go Together?

   by Nathan Williams | 19th Jun 2017

   This is a question I’m asking myself a lot recently.

   When I started at ProMo-Cymru, I was given a pretty decent social media induction (we’re good at that sort of thing) and encouraged to set up my own work Twitter account. I came up with @NathWProMo.

   

   Not great.

   The thing is, I wasn’t told to put ProMo in my Twitter tag. No one else who works for ProMo does. One reason I did this was to separate it from my personal life. But the reason why I gave myself a rubbish Twitter handle is that coming from years working in a charity background I was uncomfortable with personal digital branding.

   I’m beginning to think I was wrong.

   I’ve run lots of social media accounts for charities and am comfortable with talking through a brand voice. When I made the @NathWProMo handle, I found that I struggle to talk with a brand voice and my own voice. I think a lot of people in the social action field think the same way. I’m friends with some of them through my personal social media accounts. On their own social media accounts, they are funny, engaging and interesting. When it comes to their professional social media these are not the same people. Their conversation is stifled. This needs to change if charities want to continue making a difference.

   Social action organisations can benefit by being open to personal branding

   By allowing staff to develop and use a professional yet personable Twitter brand organisations can benefit. When people change jobs in the charity sector, they will be able to bring a pre-existing social media audience. Not simply give up one work Twitter account then start a new account somewhere else. Organisations will gain credibility and a larger platform to share their message. Having a personal brand will allow people who work in the charity sector a more legitimate digital presence. This can only benefit the people that charities try to serve.

   

   There is a lot more to engagement than changing a Twitter handle; it is a full time job. But do we need to ask why many people that work in charities have defaulted to a closed professional approach rather than personable when it comes to being on social media? It is an approach that can damage charities reputations.

   If organisations have policies in place that require staff to have work titled Twitter handles then is it worth asking why? There may be legitimate reasons, especially if you are likely to deal with vulnerable groups. But most of us don’t do this on Twitter.

   A Twitter handle isn’t going to change the world, but real conversations do make a difference.

   

   I guess I’m trying to say that I’m going to change my Twitter handle.

   ---

   Are you involved in social action and looking to transform your communication? We will work with you to develop the right strategy for your needs and empower you with the right tools and skills to stay relevant and ahead.

   Transforming your communication

5. Nathan’s Top 4 Social Enterprises

   by Nathan Williams | 6th Mar 2017

   As a social enterprise, ProMo-Cymru is always interested in learning how we can do good in an ethical and sustainable way. The line between non-profits and for profit making companies who perform social good is increasingly becoming blurred. ProMo-Cymru’s Project Development Officer, Nathan Williams, has done a quick round up of 4 companies and charities who have a clear message and purpose and are doing interesting things with new and old ideas:   

   Patagonia  

   Patagonia are world leaders when it comes to ethical business.  The company initially started to manufacture climbing equipment and now sell a whole range of ethical clothing and sportswear. The company has three goals:  

   → Build the Best Product.   

   → Cause no Unnecessary harm.  

   → Use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.
   
   The clarity demonstrated in these goals is important for many companies who are striving to communicate their message to the public.   

   
   What is impressive is how Patagonia try to realise their goals through their activities, services and employee schemes. Patagonia released a counterintuitive advert campaign on ‘Black Friday’ called
   
   ‘Don’t buy this jacket’. Whilst others were heavily promoting their product Patagonia was able to raise brand awareness through encouraging people to consider over-consumption of goods and not to buy their products on the day.
   
   Take a look at their work and many innovative schemes on their website.

   riversimple  

   riversimple is a  Welsh business, their goal: ‘To pursue, systematically, the elimination of the environmental impact of personal transport’.
   

   riversimple sells and promotes a hydrogen fueled car to meet this aim. What makes their car different to all others, however, is that instead of starting with the car design they started by designing the fuel cell and built the car around it. The fuel cell is called the Rasa and is a nod to the blank sheet of paper Tabula Rasa meaning ‘clean slate’ in Latin.  

   The company is a great example of how to succeed by doing something your own way rather copying others. For more info on the company visit their site.

   Lemonade  

   Lemonade are trying to shake up the insurance world through using artificial intelligence (AI) to pay out claims and donating any remaining funds to non-profits causes. They offer an attractive message to their target audience and have already entered the record books for paying out a claim in 3 seconds.  

   The company is able to operate at a lower cost than its rivals through the use of AI. This does throw up a lot of questions around automation and replacing jobs but it remains an interesting company to watch and a possible future model for how we buy insurance. The company don’t trade in the UK but for more information on what they do, visit their website.    

   Charity: Water  

   Charity: Water have a beautifully simple message ‘ Charity:Water is a non-profit organisation bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries’.  

   The charity has only been in existence for a few years but has grown dramatically and raised a substantial amount of funds for water projects. In a time where there has been a decrease of public trust in charities, the organisation has been able to attract substantial public support by having clear message and purpose. If you work for a charity or are looking how to convey a message, take a look at their website.