Making digital easier for the third sector in Wales

Overview

Based on research and a fast-changing world ProMo Cymru, WCVA and Cwmpas realised the growing need to support the third sector with training, support and information on all things digital. 

This led to the creation of Newid, a programme developed and delivered in partnership by WCVA, Cwmpas, and ProMo, funded by Welsh Government and supported by CDPS. Newid supports third sector organisations in Wales to build confidence and capability in using digital and understanding the digital service standard for Wales.

To date, Newid has supported hundreds of organisations across Wales.

Our Approach

Our approach focuses on supporting the sector to design and test user-centred digital services, building confidence in digital through hands-on experience.

We do this through:

Training and Mentoring

We support organisations to design better services using digital tools and user-centred design.

We deliver hands-on training that helps organisations build their digital skills and confidence. This includes our Designing Digital Services course, which combines mentoring, group training, and in-person workshops. Participants use service design methods to research user needs, develop prototypes and test their solutions for challenges they’re facing. 

Our training helps organisations:

• Embed digital ways of working
• Build and test digital solutions through using low-cost and no-code tools
• Improve digital skills and confidence across teams
• Design services that meet user needs

Past participants say 

“Most of my working life is in a mad rush, so having the time to research and develop has made a difference … the experience and knowledge the staff have provided have helped me really use my time effectively.”

“I learned that we might think we know the right direction to go in, but involving service users can completely change the nature of the project for the better.”

“I am constantly improving every part of my work day by thinking of how I can implement what I have learnt.”

“Not having to be perfect straight away has really changed my mindset professionally and personally.”

Communications and Resources

ProMo leads on Newid’s communications. We make sure the partnership’s messaging and branding are clear and consistent.

This includes:

• Producing the branding and designs
• Developing tools and content based on needs we identify through our work with third sector organisations. This includes an AI risk assessment, a customisable template CRM, and a way to measure your organisation’s Digital Adoption
• Creating a communications toolkit with key messaging, content guides, images, and templates for Newid partners to use
• Producing a monthly newsletter to share updates, learning, and opportunities within the sector
• Building and managing the Newid website, including keeping the website current, with details of support, events, and new resources
• Creating social media content and tracking the overall reach and engagement across the partnership
• Producing bilingual video content 

Our goal is to make it easy for organisations to understand and access Newid’s support.

Research Into the Needs of the Sector 

We carry out user research to understand the sector’s needs. 

In 2024, we published the Newid Discovery Report, based on interviews with leaders from third sector organisations of different sizes and levels of digital maturity. We set out to understand the challenges that they face and identify where digital solutions could provide support. 

We’ve also worked with County Voluntary Councils (CVCs) to run targeted research projects. This included reviewing previous studies, carrying out interviews, and sharing findings through practical tools and reports.

These insights inform new ideas and prototypes, like Let’s Talk Digital, online meetings for CVCs to share good practice and explore what support is most useful.

Outcome

Newid continues to respond to the needs of the sector. Our support has helped hundreds of organisations develop their confidence using digital and improve their services for their users.

By combining training, communications, service design, and research, we’re working to help the third sector use digital in ways that are practical, affordable, and right for their needs.

If you have any questions, get in touch with arielle@promo.cymru for a chat.