Power of Small project report

As part of the Power of Small project, agency William Joseph was commissioned to design and test a prototype digital front door. This centralised online tool aimed to help small charities (‘Smalls’) find relevant guidance, access resources, connect with peers and navigate sector support more effectively.

The prototype was developed based on the insights from the project's research phase. These highlighted Smalls’ need for simplified, accessible and practical support combined with a ‘lighthouse’ or ‘beacon’ approach.

The goal of this element was to explore how a digital tool could meet these needs and to test its effectiveness through user feedback and iteration.

While the prototype was initially conceived as a ‘one front door’ model, testing revealed that this approach risked creating unintended barriers by appearing to be the only route to access support.

In response, the model was refined to become ‘a way in’ – a welcoming entry point that also acted as a connector to other platforms, organisations and support mechanisms.

The digital prototype, called the Small Charities’ Handbook, has been designed to act both as a content repository and a navigation tool, bringing together sector-wide knowledge, funding opportunities, governance support and practical tools.

Key elements included:

• Creating an intuitive information architecture, so the layout and organisation of the digital front door makes sense to users, is easy to navigate, and helps people find what they need quickly.
• Using a mobile-first design, as the first testing exercise showed that the majority of participants were viewing the test on their phones.
• Designing an interface that allows charities to browse resources by topic or region

Building on the networks element of the project, the prototype also features a peer connection functionality. This would allow small charities to collaborate on funding applications, share knowledge, and find like-minded organisations (either within the same thematic/cause area or geography, for example).

The testing phase involved in-depth interviews and usability testing with Smalls, evaluating how well the prototype met their needs.

• Smalls valued the structured and easy-to-navigate platform, appreciated the clear and simple design, and expressed strong interest in a blended support model that combined digital access with offline engagement opportunities.
• The outcomes of the testing confirmed the strong demand for a centralised digital support tool, with participants expressing enthusiasm for a user-friendly, practical and trust-based resource.
• However, findings also underscored the importance of building trust through transparency – ensuring that resources are reliable and up to date, and providing multiple engagement pathways (live chat, helpdesk access and offline support).
• Mirroring the findings of the networks and peer connection project, the need for ongoing facilitation was a key insight, as Smalls can lack time and capacity to engage with self-led platforms without structured guidance.

The idea behind the concept was to ensure that any future tool is practical, scalable and responsive to the real-world needs of small charities.