Building resilience through digital and climate skills

Running from 2021 to 2024, Powering Up distinguished itself by offering tailored support packages that included technical expertise, professional development, and flexible funding. The programme was structured around two core streams: digital development and climate action. Each stream provided bespoke support valued at the equivalent of £20,000 responding directly to the specific challenges faced by community businesses, enabling them to build resilience, adaptability, and sustainability.

Hybrid models of digital transformation

Over 20 organisations went through the digital stream of the programme in which a common form of digital intervention started to emerge – an innovative hybrid model that combined the simplicity and accessibility of no-code digital tools with expert professional guidance. This hybrid approach enabled community businesses to develop effective, tailored digital solutions without the high costs and complexities typically associated with custom-built technology. Crucially, this model also emphasised skill-building and internal capacity development, ensuring participating organisations could maintain and adapt their digital tools independently over time.

The hybrid model of digital development emerged in contrast to more established approaches of custom-built solutions and off-the-shelf digital packages. Each of these came with distinct advantages and challenges. Custom solutions, although fully tailored and highly flexible, presented significant financial and logistical hurdles for most community businesses. Off-the-shelf software offered quick implementation and reliability, but often lacked the flexibility to fully address unique organisational needs. No-code solutions emerged as an effective middle ground, offering user-friendly platforms capable of meeting specific needs without requiring extensive technical skills or financial investment.

This hybrid digital model was brought to life through practical case studies from community businesses participating in the Powering Up programme. Veg Box People, a community-based organic produce scheme in Greater Manchester, worked with digital experts Purple Banana to create a vibrant and user-friendly marketing website using Webflow, a popular no-code platform. This project not only resolved longstanding technical and maintenance issues but empowered Veg Box People to fully manage and adapt their digital presence moving forward. The close collaboration between Veg Box People and Purple Banana exemplified the programme’s core principles, including simplicity, collaboration, and capability building within the community business.

Similarly, Thamesmead Arts and Culture Office (TACO!) significantly enhanced their community radio operations through digital automation, utilising Airtable in partnership with SaaSy Software. Prior to this digital transformation, TACO! faced considerable challenges managing volunteer contributions and content workflows, which often resulted in inefficiencies and errors. By adopting Airtable as a centralised no-code hub integrated with their existing CMS, TACO! streamlined data management, reduced manual effort, and improved consistency across their operations. Crucially, this digital solution freed up organisational resources, allowing staff and volunteers to focus more on creative programming and community engagement, thereby significantly amplifying their local impact.

Environmental and Management Solutions (EMS) Ltd similarly leveraged Powering Up’s digital stream to transition from unwieldy spreadsheets to a bespoke CRM system developed using Microsoft PowerApps. Partnering with JMK & Co, EMS built an integrated system that enhanced their ability to track support, donations, and community interactions in real-time. This transition not only reduced administrative burdens but also greatly improved the accuracy and effectiveness of their reporting, empowering EMS to communicate more effectively with stakeholders and make informed, strategic decisions.

Central to Powering Up’s digital stream was the role of the Community Business Connector, a dedicated independent adviser who guided organisations through the discovery and implementation processes. This unique approach ensured that community businesses received unbiased, tailored advice directly aligned with their strategic goals rather than commercial interests. Furthermore, the structured support provided—comprising technical assistance, professional development, and flexible grants—enabled organisations to deeply engage with their digital transformation projects, resulting in more sustainable and impactful outcomes.

Overall, the digital stream of Powering Up has demonstrated significant potential in transforming community businesses by equipping them with effective, adaptable digital tools and embedding essential digital skills within their teams. This hybrid approach, combining expert support with accessible no-code technologies, has provided a valuable blueprint for community organisations seeking practical solutions to their digital challenges.

For community businesses looking to explore this hybrid approach in more detail, a comprehensive guide titled ‘No-code but not alone’ is available. It provides practical insights, detailed case studies, and clear recommendations on successfully adopting digital tools to enhance organisational resilience and sustainability.