Empowering Health and Wellbeing through Digital Transformation

In a recent project, Tim Smith, Business Manager at Powys Living Well Service, was tasked with delivering a public-facing digital training platform aimed at boosting awareness of how to identify, prevent, or manage various health conditions. As Tim was beginning his Masters in Leading Digital Transformation at the University of South Wales (USW), he saw it as the perfect opportunity to apply his academic learning.

The Project: Bringing Care Closer to Home

With the support of his master's programme, Tim and his team developed a Community Training Platform—a digital hub hosting health and wellbeing e-learning content across five clinical areas: Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Dialectic Behaviour Therapy, Weight Management Essentials, Dementia Awareness, and Understanding Persistent Pain.The platform's goal is to provide accessible, current health advice to the public, helping individuals engage with services earlier and potentially change their behaviours. It is available in both Welsh and English and is supported by partnerships with local libraries that offer iPads for loan.

Tim emphasised the platform’s focus on accessibility and early intervention: “We want to bring care to individuals in their homes. By providing the right information at the right time, we hope to make a difference in people's lives.”

Creating Standardised, On-Demand Content

To build the platform, Tim and his team worked closely with clinical professionals, sometimes digitising existing content and, in other cases, creating new material. A key part of the project was filming interviews with service users to ensure the training content was engaging and person-centred. Tim highlighted the importance of making users feel heard, stating, "It’s so important to draw on real experiences and present information in a positive, practical way."

By offering standardised, on-demand resources, the platform aims to break down myths surrounding health conditions and help users manage their care independently.

Academic Rigor in Digital Project Planning

Tim’s master's programme played a significant role in the development of the platform. The academic reading and insights from his coursework informed the decisions he made throughout the project. “The academic side reinforces why something is needed and why it will work,” Tim said, adding that referencing studies in proposals gave them added authority.

Support Throughout the Journey

One of the most valuable aspects of the master's programme for Tim was the coaching element. He explained, “Having a coach gave me an external, independent perspective. It’s essential when you want to transform something to have someone who can challenge your thinking and help you see things differently.”

Developing a Community of Best Practice

In addition to the platform, Tim and his fellow students created a community of professionals across Wales to share digital best practices. Originally formed within their cohort, this group now includes 80-90 members from health boards and organisations like TEC Cymru and Careers Wales. “It’s a valuable outcome of the master's programme,” Tim said. “Breaking down barriers and fostering collaboration is crucial for improving health and social care.”

Looking to the Future

The Community Training Platform is currently in its pilot phase, with plans to launch for end users in the near future. Tim believes the platform will have an immediate impact, particularly in terms of accessibility, noting that it’s designed to be bilingual and compatible with screen readers. He also expects cost savings, as the platform will replace some face-to-face training and reduce print costs.

Most importantly, Tim is excited about the platform’s potential to make a real difference in the lives of people in Powys. “I want to see people using it,” he said. “It’s about availability, access, and consistent quality in materials and delivery.”

Tim believes the platform has laid the groundwork for future projects, including developing more in-house content and empowering others within the health board to create their own training materials. Reflecting on the impact of his master’s, Tim encourages others to embrace the opportunity. “Be prepared to share your experiences and learn from them. It’s a journey, and we can all benefit from each other’s successes and challenges.”