Hello, Wales

Newid logo

Thanks for joining us. This is the first weeknote for Newid — Digital for the third sector. A joint project from WCVA, Cwmpas and ProMo-Cymru funded by Welsh Government to support the Welsh third sector in delivering better digital services.

So what do we mean by 'digital'?

I'm Nathan from ProMo. I've been given the challenging task of discussing the learning we're doing in the partnership to define what 'digital' means for us and the third sector (I'll stop using" now!).

So what do we mean by digital? And how do we talk about this in a way the third sector understands? This is a tricky one…

Elevator pitch

If I were going to use an elevator pitch, it would be this quote from Tom Loosemore:

[embed]Digital: Applying the culture, practices, processes & technologies of the Internet-era to respond to people's raised expectations.

An excellent summation of how people's expectations of services have changed. The internet-era applies to all sectors private, public and third. But maybe a bit too broad.

The longer answer

For a slightly longer and more specific answer on what digital means to the third sector, then it is worth looking at how the National Lottery classified over 800 entries to its Digital Fund based on what the sector was trying to achieve:

1. Digitising Processes
2. Basic Digital Infrastructure
3. Digital skills and digital inclusion
4. Designing a new service
5. Digital Engagement
6. Tech for good or digital innovation
7. Organisational redesign and transition
8. Digital practices and good leadership

You can take a look at the full essay below from Cassie Robinson, who created a beautiful analogy about a cafe to explain these classifications:

[embed]**What we're learning about how the sector understands "digital"**When we launched the Digital Fund in late 2018 we didn't anticipate 1,200 applications in four weeks, but we knew we'd…cassierobinson.medium.com

Learning from elsewhere

There is a lot of learning from across the UK on digital in the third sector. I've been influenced by the Catalyst and their work in bringing together conversations on digital and the third sector. The Catalyst has made a lot of their work available for re-use, which will be helpful to the partnership as we develop Newid. Re-use is an important theme that I think will probably come up in a future weeknote.

Take a look at their work:

[embed]Catalyst - Digital Charity Catalyst is a network of experts and funders helping UK charities improve their digital skills through knowledge and…www.thecatalyst.org.uk

Digital and COVID

During COVID, digital became the primary means of delivery for many third sector organisations. We researched what that meant for organisations in Wales and made some recommendations based on what went well and not so well. This resulted in the development of Newid, a programme funded by Welsh Government to support the Welsh third sector with digital. Find out a bit more about our research and the Newid programme:

[embed]Introducing Newid: digital for the third sector - WCVA We are pleased to announce an upcoming programme of digital skills development and support for the voluntary sector in…wcva.cymru

Better digital services for Wales

WCVA, Wales Coop and ProMo are grateful to be part of a larger digital ecosystem in Wales, working alongside the Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) Wales, which is supporting the public sector with digital.

The CDPS has developed 12 digital service standards for Wales. These standards are different from anywhere else in the world as they consider Welsh Language and Welsh Government Legislation, which focuses on future generations. Translating these standards to something the third sector understands and can act on will be an essential part of Newid:

[embed]Digital Service Standards - Digital Public Service Wales The real difference in the adoption of digital across public services in Wales has to be an uncompromising focus on the…digitalpublicservices.gov.wales

A few last things before I go

What does Newid mean, and why is the id bit a different colour in your logo?

It means change in Welsh. The logo emphasises a play on words in English as in a New identity for the third sector. Reflecting the profound change that digital ways of working will bring to the sector's identity in working for and with the people we serve.

What is a weeknote?

Somewhere to share what you are working on in a more informal format than a regular organisational blog or news item. For example, you can randomly post a gif of Nicholas Cage:

[embed]Nicholas Cage enjoys some fresh air on his face.

What will you be covering next week?

More about doing the work and our learning. The next one will come from Cwmpas or WCVA.

Where can I sign up to take part in Newid?

We're working on it.

See you next week!

If you want to chat in the meantime, drop me a line at nathan@promo.cymru