This is your opportunity to explore the world of service design, spark your curiosity, build confidence and drive positive change in your sector.

This interactive training is perfect for those with little or no prior knowledge of service design.

Session 1: 10 am - 12.30 pm GMT, Thurs 6 November 2025 + 30 mins homework
Session 2: 10 am - 12.30 pm GMT, Thurs 13 November 2025 + 15 mins homework
Session 3: 10 am - 12.30 pm GMT, Thurs 20 November 2025

The cost includes your attendance at all three sessions. You must be able to attend all three sessions, including setting aside time for homework.

Sessions are online via Teams.

Course Overview

Key Takeaways

By the end of the three sessions, you will:

Gain an understanding of service design principles.
Acquire practical experience in user research, ideation and prototyping.
Develop strategies for applying service design within your organisation.

Session 1: The Theory (6 Nov)

Explore fundamental concepts and approaches for successful public and third-sector services in the digital age.

Understand the fundamentals of service design, its significance, and guiding principles.
Dive into real-world case studies to see theory in action.

Session 2: The Practice (13 Nov)

Experience a 'mini design cycle' firsthand, where theory transforms into practical skills. Learn the art of user research, uncovering hidden motivations, and ideation techniques.

Collaborate in pairs to create and improve design ideas, guided by feedback and prototypes.

Session 3: The Reflection and Action Planning (20 Nov)

Reflect on your learning journey and its implications for your work.
Explore micro-actions to drive positive change in your organisation.
Share experiences and strategies with fellow participants.

Who this is for

People who are curious to learn about service design and work in the government or nonprofit sector in the UK.

It's designed specifically for people working in local government, central government, arms-length bodies, regulators, housing associations, charities and trusts.

You might be new to your role or new to the sector and want to gain a practical introduction to applying the basic principles of service design to your work.

You might have heard others talk about service design, user-centred design, user research, or prototyping and wonder what this has to do with you and your work.

This course will not make you a service designer - see our in-depth course for that - but it will give you the basic foundational knowledge.

Testimonials

“The sessions were really helpful in developing the confidence of our cohort of local authority commissioners to understand and apply user-centred design - I've never seen anything that helps people grasp new concepts in such an engaging, fast and effective way before.”

— Sarah Johnston, Chief Operating Officer, Public Service Transformation Academy

“This intro course has helped me to speak confidently about what user-centred service design is, and why we should do it - all in a really short space of time.”

— Amanda Oliver, Project Manager, United Welsh Housing Association

Facilitator - Jo Carter

Jo Carter, an Accredited SDN Service Design Master, leads this engaging training. Jo is passionate about developing individuals and has a knack for making complex concepts accessible.

ServiceWorks exists to help public and third-sector organisations “grow their own” service designers so that people are better equipped to design services that work. ServiceWorks is an Accredited Organisation with the Service Design Network.

Clients include Welsh Government, Neath Port Talbot Council, Companies House, Natural Resources Wales, Brandon Trust, DWP, The Pensions Regulator, Drinkaware and Audit Wales.

Price: from £350 + VAT per person.

In-house option

Looking to train your entire team?

We offer in-house workshops tailored to your organisation's needs.

Contact Jo Carter for pricing and details.

Book a call: Calendly - Jo Carter
Email: jo@weareserviceworks.com

,

Looking for something more in-depth?

Check out Service Design in Practice, our 8-month training programme.

If you want to pay by invoice

Contact lisa@weareserviceworks.com and we will enrol you and raise an invoice.

Ticket sales have ended

Introduction to Service Design Course - for Government and Nonprofits