We are facing a pandemic and the public sector are in the frontline but surprise surprise one organisation hasn’t got the memo. To date, the BBC covid-19 death toll running total records 3,600 people have died in the UK and 38,000 have tested positive. Nurses, doctors, paramedics and NHS support staff are taking daily risks […]
Dan SleeI've been formulating some thoughts about modernising libraries for while now, and this tweet from Neil JefferiesLibraries looking to get back to "normal" after this. Realise that this may well be the new normal, the library needs to become a virtual rather than a physical space. Funders, this also means that digitisation is back on […]
LG/WWWIn normal times you probably have two or three people who have permission to use the corporate social media channel. But these are not normal times. If those two or three are not burnt out they very soon will be. You need to enlist the help of anyone who can spell to give some relief […]
Dan SleeCoronavirus (COVID-19) has had an unprecedented impact on the world and how we interact with each other.Life as we know it, for the time being, has changed. We’re spending more time online than ever before. Our devices are overloaded with news alerts, updates and unexpected (if always welcome) calls from relatives.Everyone is preoccupied. And scammers prey […]
We are Citizens Advice - MediumWhen Samuel Pepys was an eyewitness to history he kept a diary. Me? I binged podcasts and YouTube. For the past 14 days I’ve had mild coronavirus symptoms. My wife went down with them two days after me. How mild were my symptoms? A cough. Sometimes a shortness of breath. Lungs that felt like wasps […]
Dan SleeAs a small unitary authority, we do not have the same issues as teams working to provide clear and concise coronavirus related information to the public at a large scale. The teams at GDS and the NHS have been doing an absolutely amazing job creating content for the nation in a way that continues to […]
Bracknell Forest Digital ServicesThis week we reported on the phenomenal increase in visits to the Citizens Advice website — last week we had 2.2 million views, making it the busiest week yet in our history.Over the past few days, we’ve seen growing trends in our data that show people are worried about whether they can cover their essential living costs. Since […]
We are Citizens Advice - MediumThe coronavirus pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on all of our lives. We’re seeing this first-hand at Citizens Advice — last week our website had 2.2 million views, the busiest week yet in our history.We saw 141,000 views alone to our advice page on what coronavirus means for people — a 1341% change from the week previously — making this our […]
We are Citizens Advice - MediumI do have flour Sally! Had homemade bread for lunch today…
Stories by Lesley Thomson on MediumWhy I’m feeling lucky.It might not feel like a time for optimism and, by nature, I’m not a glass half full person, anyway. But today I’m counting my blessings. And there are many. Here are a few (not necessarily in order of importance):I’m in full-time employment, in a job that’s not at risk.I’m not on the frontline, […]
Stories by Lesley Thomson on MediumTell me that wasn’t your real phone number in that gif
Stories by Neil Lawrence on Medium‘Taking the opportunity to step back from what we’re doing and questioning what really matters can make all the difference. We’ve been trying to improve work and skills outcomes for our communities for a while now but have been wondering whether we are focusing on the right areas. Using a design approach to this challenge […]
SameRoom.Bringing Customer Services and HackIT together On Friday we announced that the HackIT division and the Customer Services division (which includes Benefits & Housing Needs, Customer & Corporate Services, Registrars, and Revenues) will be coming together at the end of April when the current Director of Customer Services, Kay Brown, retires. Kay will be a […]
bytheryeA few years ago I was the discussing service redesign with a senior member of staff where I work.Some of the services they managed were changing from delivery by a member of staff to self-service and online. There were other changes in the pipeline too and they joked, "there'll be none of my service left […]
LG/WWWBerlin The week before last was an opportunity to visit Berlin (catching up with friends who now live there). I was really impressed with the city. It has many complex histories, and as well as keeping a history geek like me well occupied I thought that the way much of that was marked was very […]
bytheryeTechnology leadership is never easy. During times of crisis planning and mobilization, it is even harder. Expectations have never been higher for CIOs to enable the business to deliver services. So take a deep breath, relax, and read on. The largest responsibilities of a municipal government during a pandemic is to continue to provide existing services and to […]
CIO Musings - Life as a Public Sector CIOAs part of being more accountable to myself and keeping focused on the goals I’ve set for the year I’m aiming to check in monthly. This post is mainly for my own benefit… Review the goals My professional goals and progress toward them: Letting Go – work has started in the background to re-organise the […]
Sarah LayWebsite redesign projects and digital transformation seem to come round in cycles – a contract comes up for renewal, budget targets get tightened, a restructure happens and with those things comes the need to look again at what you’re doing online. The projects come with plenty of potential but are often most focused on the […]
Sarah LayWhether you’re new to paid content, or are a dab hand with online ads these seven tips for your creative and copy will help to make sure that every time you spend you’re seeing the right results and making a positive impression with your audience. Before we start an Ad of my own. If you’re […]
Sarah Lay