Author Archives: Sarah Namann

1. Helping BAVO Improve their Application Process by using Microsoft Forms

   by Sarah Namann | 14th 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. Bavo is just one organisation that has contacted the service to ask for advice and help to find solutions to their problem.

   

   What is BAVO?

   Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO) is a County Voluntary Council (CVC) covering Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire and Newport.

   What problem did BAVO face?

   The BAVO staff team has varying levels of digital skills and experience in using digital tools to create forms. BAVO needed help with creating application forms that were consistent across the organisation.

   As part of the free DigiCymru service, BAVO asked ProMo Cymru to explore the best tool to use based on their needs and help them understand the possibilities and ways to utilise the features best. In particular, they were looking to attach a guidance document to the application form, as applicants weren’t reading the guidance as it was being sent separately.

   They also had issues managing all the information submitted in the applications, as the completed applications weren’t stored in one place. Additionally, some applicants choose to apply on paper rather than online, so BAVO were also looking for an easy way to adapt an online form to a paper version.

   

   Finding a digital solution

   As with many third-sector organisations, the budget for new tools is often tight. BAVO were looking for a free tool that the team could learn in-depth.

   Sarah Namann, Digital Projects Officer at ProMo Cymru, met with BAVO to discuss what digital tools could provide a solution.

   To start, we explored the pros and cons of popular and powerful tools such as Typeform, Google Forms and Alchemer. As the organisation already had a paid subscription to Microsoft 365, we jointly decided to proceed with using Microsoft Forms – a basic, intuitive tool used to build forms.

   Sarah showed them how Microsoft works and highlighted the advantages and limitations of the tool. BAVO learned about the specific functions that would help them, including rethinking the way they build their application forms they could access the application guidance document directly in the form.

   We also explored how to use Excel, another Microsoft 365 software, to gather the information submitted by applicants in one place. One limitation of the tool is that you can’t adapt Microsoft Forms to a paper format, so this only supports digital applications.

   

   Outcomes

   When asked how happy they were with the service, they scored DigiCymru as excellent (5 out of 5).

   BAVO shared that they felt ‘supported’, ‘heard’, and ‘like the help was tailored to their needs’, and that it was a ‘really helpful & useful session’.

   The organisation shared that they are ‘very likely’ to use what they learned in the sessions in their work. The most useful part of the DigiCymru sessions was learning more about the functions of Microsoft Forms. which answered specific queries that the BAVO team had about using the tool.

   

   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. Free Course: Designing Digital Services

   by Sarah Namann | 11th Aug 2023

   We are running a free course for third sector organisations in Wales.

   The aim of the course is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to design person-centred digital services and inspire them to take advantage of digital approaches to maximise social impact. During this course participants will:

   -Get the opportunity to solve a real-life challenge that their organisation is facing

   -Dedicate time and space to test out new ideas and approaches

   -Learn new things about their service users and their needs

   -Receive mentoring and guidance from digital experts

   -Learn how to develop digital services that are person-centred through using the Service Design methodology

   -Experiment with new digital tools

   -Gain access to digital tools and resources

   What’s the course format?

   The course consists of 2 parts. The first one is a webinar introducing the Service Design methodology and why it works for digital services. You can chose to only attend the first part, or if you have a service design project you complete the second part where we will support you in developing your digital service.

   Find out more here

   Register for part one here or for both parts here

3. Paid role: Job Growth Wales+ Research Advisory Group

   by Sarah Namann | 9th Jan 2023

   Get Paid to Share your Thoughts and Experiences on Education, Employment and Training

   Does this sound like you?

   -I am currently seeking employment and training, but I’m facing barriers and struggling to find something

   -I am currently involved with Job Growth Wales+

   -I don’t feel I can work because of my personal circumstances. I wish there were more opportunities tailored towards my needs

   -I am in work, education or training, but I previously experienced barriers and am passionate about helping other young people progress with their careers

   The opportunity 

   We are looking for young people aged 16-24 who live in Wales to become part of a Research Advisory Group.

   No previous experience is needed, but we are looking for a commitment and willingness to learn and participate in semi-regular online meetings. The panel will meet about 6-8 times over the next 18 months.

   To ensure that the research can help as many young people as possible, we would like to recruit a group of young people with a diverse range of experiences. We’re particularly interested in hearing from people who feel they have experienced barriers when seeking employment or training. 

   What’s in it for you?

   Being involved in a research advisory group is a great way to boost confidence, meet new people, and develop the skills that employers are looking for. 

   By getting involved, you’ll receive the National Living Wage (currently £10.9 per hour) or the equivalent amount in a voucher of your choice – whichever works best for you!

   Outside of these sessions, you’ll get support to:

   -Help you gain work experience in things like marketing, public speaking,  videography and social media

   -Think about your key skills to put on your CV

   -Connect you to other opportunities. 

   -This mentorship will be free to those in the research advisory group.

   What you will be asked to do 

   During the research process, you will be asked to participate in a variety of activities to help support the research. This may be getting involved in a focus group to provide us with your feedback and experiences or going undercover to see the process of accessing support from Jobs Growth Wales+. 

   Background

   Jobs Growth Wales+ is a Welsh Government initiative to help young people who aren’t in education, employment or training to access opportunities to progress in their careers. 

   It’s an exciting and ambitious programme that aims to help every eligible 16-18 year old with an offer of employment, training, voluntary work or self-employment.

   To ensure the programme is working, the Welsh Government has employed an independent evaluator called Wavehill. Their job is to have a look at the Jobs Growth Wales+ programme to see what’s been going well and what can be improved. 

   As a young person, you can support the  programme by sharing your experience of accessing education, employment and training and the struggles you may have faced doing so. 

   Expressing your interest

   If you’re interested in this opportunity, please complete the expression of interest by filling in this form. 

   Applications close at 9am on 21 March 2023. After you have submitted your expression of interest, we will get in touch with you to let you know the outcome. 

   If you are selected to be part of the research advisory group, we will arrange an informal chat about the role.

   Support with your involvement

   If you need support with access to technology such as internet connection or devices, please let us know in the expression of interest form. This will not affect whether you are selected for the opportunity or not, but it will help us to make sure we have the best tools in place to help. 

   For more information, contact sarah@promo.cymru

4. Free Course: Designing Digital Services

   by Sarah Namann | 16th May 2022

   We are running a free modular course for third sector organisations in Wales.

   The aim of the course is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to design person-centred digital services and inspire them to take advantage of digital approaches to maximise social impact. During this course participants will:

   – Get the opportunity to solve a real-life challenge that their organisation is facing
   – Dedicate time and space to test out new ideas and approaches
   – Learn new things about their service users and their needs
   – Receive mentoring and guidance from digital experts
   – Learn how to develop digital services that are person-centred through using the Service Design methodology
   – Experiment with new digital tools
   – Gain access to digital tools and resources

   

   What’s the course format?

   The course consists of 2 parts. The first one is a webinar introducing the Service Design methodology and why it works for digital services. You can chose to only attend the first module, or if you have a service design project you complete the second part where we will support you in developing your digital service.

   Find out more

   Register here