SCVO Service Design for Charities Course

Brief Summary: Learn the basics of service design, explore how to understand and define problems and to get the tools to design and improve services

Start Date: 23/07/2026

This is a free event

Location: Online

23 July – session 1: understand the problem – discover & define

Before we can improve a service, we need to understand what’s really going on. This session focuses on the foundations of good service design – starting with the problem. You’ll explore:

• Why we do it: why understanding the problem is the most important step in designing better services
• How we do it: techniques like journey mapping, user interviews, and empathy tools to uncover what’s not working
• Who we do it with: how to involve service users, staff, and stakeholders in the discovery process to get a full picture

By the end of this session, you’ll be able to clearly define the problem you’re trying to solve – setting the stage for meaningful change.

30 July – session 2: design the solution – develop & deliver

Once you’ve defined the problem, it’s time to start designing solutions that work. This session is all about creativity, collaboration, and practical tools. You’ll explore:

• How we do it: approaches like co-design, prototyping, and testing ideas in low-risk ways
• Who we do it with: how to bring the right people into the design process – especially those with lived experience
• Resources and tools: simple, accessible tools to help you generate ideas, prioritise solutions, and plan for delivery

You’ll leave this session with a toolkit to develop and deliver solutions that are grounded in real needs and practical to implement.

04 August- session 3: deliver and iterate

Design doesn’t stop at delivery. In this final session, we focus on how to keep improving your service once it’s live. You’ll learn how to:

• Test your service in the real world and gather feedback
• Use data and insights to make improvements
• Build a culture of continuous learning and iteration in your team

This session helps you move from a one-off project to an ongoing practice of service improvement, so your services stay relevant, effective, and user-focused.

Registration Details:

This is open to third/voluntary sector organisations so local authority SD Community of Practice colleagues.

The booking link is here: Service design for charities – SCVO and further details below: