SCIP
Services used: User Experience, Project Management
SCIP is a Brighton-based organisation providing IT services to charities and community groups in Sussex. In 2009 the organisation embarked on a project with the University of Brighton to research the support needs of local charities and voluntary sector groups with a view to improving SCIP’s and other infrastructure support groups ability to serve these needs through its activities.
I came aboard to act as user experience consultant and project manager, facilitating the desired research. I organised focus groups and depth interviews with a cross section of groups from the community and voluntary sector. With the findings from these sessions three iterative rounds of usability testing were carried out on three key support websites for the sector: Support for Groups, Brighton & Hove Resource Centre and B&H Community and Voluntary Sector Forum. With each iteration refinements were made, incrementally shaping the sites to better fit the needs of their respective users. I also provided recommendations for those responsible for maintaining each of the sites to nurture ongoing benefits.
As well as the direct improvement to the three key sites, my work provided my clients with a better understanding of how they can serve the organisations they work with and fulfil their stated objectives.
Brighton New Media
Services used: Community Management
Ten years ago, at the turn of the millennium, I set up a mailing list to help me meet people in Brighton’s emerging new media community. I publicised it on local news groups and forums, and word spread rapidly. Before too long the group had around 1,000 members, and my initial seeding became unnecessary as discussion thrived.
The interest generated led a local company, James Wragg, a website was set up to aggregate social media content from group members, extending the sharing already taking place. The community thrives still, and I look forward to its next chapter.
