We love delivering DataBasic training! Originally developed by researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the DataBasic training programme (the Data Culture Project) is designed to help anyone in an organisation, whether or not they have data responsibility and no matter how senior they are, get more confident with data. You can use it self-serve style - pick and choose from the menu of webtools and activities, but we think it’s best enjoyed with a facilitator, working through each course with a cohort of colleagues, over a period of four weeks (or two full days). We see the difference it makes for both beginners and more experienced staff – building confidence and curiosity when working with data. 

Until recently, two versions of DataBasic training have been available – MIT’s original website and a bilingual version of that website which we developed with MIT, that contains Welsh-relevant sample datasets. 

Then, in October 2022, we were approached by Central South Consortium to help contribute to their Data In Our World project. From this, DataBasic Education was created – a version of the website with child-friendly sample data sets, simpler language and a focus on making the website easily navigable for educators who may want to deliver these workshops. Spending so much time thinking (and getting excited by) the first digitally-native generation of leaners got us thinking about the future – how can we ensure the future of DataBasic?

Thanks to the foresight and generosity of its creators, the coding of the DataBasic website is publicly available, which has allowed us to create a new version of the website over which we have full control. This future-proofs its brilliant resources and webtools and ensures we are solely responsible for all manner of things, from content, to accessibility, to data privacy.

Our recent work on DataBasicCymru

Here are some highlights of our work:

• We believe that the true value of data is when it is accessible to everyone and understood by everyone, so we set about improving the site’s accessibility features in line with our developing accessibility standards. This included ensuring all text was easily readable and that the site was usable for mouse, keyboard and screen reader users in both English and Welsh. We have also added an accessibility statement page to the site.
• In hosting the website ourselves, we take on responsibility for the storage of user data. To bring the site into line with Data Cymru’s own websites, we have added explanations about data privacy throughout the site and a privacy policy page to simply explain how your data is stored and used.
• We have updated some language in the site to make it more beginner-friendly and have translated some remaining US English into British English. For example, we have added explainers where the site had previously assumed readers had some knowledge of .csv files or of data visualisation. We hope this will expand our accessibility even further – making it available for more age-ranges, learning differences and experience levels.
• In past DataBasic courses, you have suggested adding simpler examples to some of our webtools to make them easier to understand for beginners – and we have listened! We’ve updated two webtools with new sample datasets to give clearer or more topical examples. Now that we’re deploying DataBasic ourselves, we have direct control over this content and will be able to quickly respond to user feedback about sample data as well as other aspects of the site. This is important because understanding the subject matter can be a great confidence boost. If you’re familiar with the data or the topic, you’re more likely to start questioning and challenging it.

The future of DataBasicCymru

Why do we think it’s a good offer for local authorities? DataBasicCymru isn’t a how-to guide for a particular dataset or a tutorial in some specific technique; it’s a platform to build your own data culture and to encourage and incite curiosity – after all, the best questions produce the best answers. We know that building data maturity within and across local authorities is a challenge and that’s why DataBasicCymru is a neat solution; principles can be taught and then later applied to individuals’ own experiences. This promotes autonomy and gives people a chance to showcase their expertise in their field.

Data work is often also considered to be something ‘best left to the experts’ – people with the word ‘data’ or ‘analyst’ in their job titles – but we know that everyone uses data and information in their roles and it’s becoming a necessary skill for more and more of us. This false perception can sometimes produce feelings of fear or inadequacy for people who don’t hold those titles. That’s where the fun and creativity in the DataBasic workshops comes in – it’s a tangibly useful reminder that we can all contribute to the production, collection, analysis and use of data in our roles, no matter our level.

As a result of our work this year – and the excellent groundwork laid by the original DataBasic team – we have a new and improved website which will support us in better delivering data training for Welsh councils. We can also now respond to your feedback to further improve the site more proactively. We hope that this moves us closer to our vision of a data-confident Welsh local government.

See the new changes for yourself here and why not try a workshop or – if you’re interested in scheduling some training – speak to Róisín.

About the authors

Róisín is our Data Insight and Engagement officer. She supports our engagement and improvement work. She also leads our capacity building work programme.

Rob is our data scientist. He supports our innovative use of data and provides advice and guidance on getting the most from data.

Contact

Róisín

029 2090 9599

Roisin.Roberts@data.cymru

Rob

029 2090 9569

Rob.Pascoe@data.cymru

The work of us data professionals can seem cold and impersonal. Spreadsheets and calculations. Code goes in, numbers come out. And… yes, that’s fairly accurate. But the human side of us data geeks is being more widely recognised and celebrated in recent years. In fact, almost all the highlights of my career have in some way involved the rich, collaborative nature of the public sector data community. This is one of these stories.

Between May and July 2024, I took part, as a mentor, in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Data Science Campus’ Data Visualisation Accelerator programme1. Through the programme, I helped a colleague from The National Archive in developing a dashboard to showcase archive data to colleagues and partners.

My experience was joyful and rewarding – thanks in no small part to my mentee. So much so that it inspired me to write this blog. Here I share some of the key lessons I learned:

1For the uninitiated, the Data Science and Data Visualisation Accelerator programmes were mentoring schemes managed by the ONS Data Science Campus. The programmes matched aspiring data scientists and analysts with mentors with skills relevant to their proposed project. Mentors and mentees were accepted from across the public sector, including local government. In practice, this involves a mentee setting aside one day a week for 12 weeks to work on an agreed project with regular, remote check-ins with their mentor for support on technical issues and general guidance to keep the project on track. The accelerator programmes ran for the last time in 2024.

1. Get your ducks in a row early on

I joke that the data conference circuit has taught me the importance of an ethics-first, privacy-first, equality-first, governance-first, stakeholder-first, data-first approach (in no particular order). But joking aside, having important conversations with the right people early on in your planning is crucial. This will include speaking to information governance and ethics colleagues, decision makers and other colleagues who might be affected by your work.

On a related note, it also helps to be very clear – not only about what the person you’re supporting is looking to achieve - but also what they are hoping to learn. Doing so will not only allow you to deliver the output but will also help ensure that you are imparting those key skills in the process.

2. The art of teaching without doing (everything)

The purpose of the exercise is to maximise the value to the person you’re supporting. The temptation to work as quickly as you would by yourself can be hard to fight, but it’s important not to take over. People learn in different ways, but most benefit from the opportunity to do things themselves, rather than just being shown.

This approach extends to the management and planning of the work. Encourage those you are supporting to take as much responsibility as possible for how they allocate their time. Doing so offers them valuable experience in leading their own work. Additionally, it enables them to tailor the project to develop skills and insights that are most relevant and meaningful to them.

On the other hand, you should have an idea of which of your skills you want to prioritise, so that you can make sure that time is set aside to cover them. And don’t forget that a key part of teaching is to check the work that has been done. Remember to give feedback by the end of the project on their use of the new techniques and the quality of the output itself.

3. Know the value of your knowledge

I had taken for granted how much there is to know about data visualisation.  Especially when working in a technical role, it’s easy to under-value the small things. I anticipated that a significant amount of our time would be spent writing code and drafting dashboards. But I underestimated how much there is to teach about the fundamentals:

• When is each type of chart most effective?
• How to write clear and informative titles?
• How much to put on each page?
• How to decide on which colours to use?
• When are charts disclosive?

Sharing this kind of knowledge is as important as developing technical skills and is well worth considering. See our Presenting Data guide for more information.

Teaching is its own reward

Once you’re comfortable with a topic, it can be difficult to identify the gaps in your knowledge. This can make it hard to continue to improve but can also undermine our self-belief. Teaching tests the limits of our understanding and has a way of reaching all the dusty shelves of our brains. This experience reaffirmed that teaching is a valuable tool for self-improvement.

With our busy lives and hectic work schedules, it can be difficult to find time to help others develop, but it is so worthwhile. Aside from getting to see someone else grow and get more confident, you also get a chance to give back and – fingers crossed – experience the joy of seeing someone achieve something that they previously couldn’t have.

About the author

Rob Pascoe

Rob is our data scientist. He supports our innovative use of data and provides advice and guidance on getting the most from data.

Ieuan leaves us for pastures new after almost five years of working with us. We asked him to share his reflections on his time here and why pursuing a career in data is a smart move for any graduate.

Introduction

Graduating from university is an exhilarating milestone, but it often comes with the daunting task of navigating the job market. I graduated with a degree in Welsh and Mathematics and explored many options. I was always a numbers person growing up and learned a lot of Excel skills during a brief stint with one of the Big 4, but felt it important to work for an organisation where the Welsh language was valued highly. I was fortunate enough to come across a position at Data Cymru.

Why Data Cymru?

After researching Data Cymru, I could immediately align with their mission to provide data services and insights for public sector organisations in Wales. They aim to improve public services through effective data use, and this resonated with me. I felt I could help make a difference to public services using data and numbers, whilst also growing in a professional data-driven environment.

First impressions and the pandemic

Joining Data Cymru straight out of university was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. I was excited to learn new skills in what I thought was an entry position that would allow me to grow steadily and learn about the world of data. However, six months after I joined, COVID struck and I was immediately thrown into the deep end.

COVID saw an immense appetite for accurate data from the general public. People would watch the news every evening, checking the latest case numbers in their area, hoping the numbers would decrease and we could wave goodbye to the end of the pandemic. This made Data Cymru’s role in collecting data vital

I was thrust in to daily data collections for the number of children of key workers still attending schools, the number of carers getting vaccinated, and the number of children receiving free school meals when school’s reopened. These collections allowed me to be a part of every step of the data collection process, from collection to publishing. I was proud to have some of the figures I collected used in one of the First Minister’s daily briefings.

Working on real projects

Working on data collections during the pandemic allowed me to learn many vital skills. I was then introduced to more technical skills and various tools and systems used by the team, and trusted to create dashboards and manage the rollout of a training programme.

No job comes without its challenges, and my role at Data Cymru was no exception. One of the biggest hurdles was mastering the specialised software and tools used by the organisation.

However, the culture at Data Cymru is one of continuous learning. The organisation offers numerous opportunities for professional development, from workshops to online courses. Whenever I encountered a challenge, there was always support available, whether from colleagues or external resources.

The collaborative nature of work at Data Cymru meant that I was never isolated in my tasks. Regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and feedback loops ensured that everyone’s input was valued, and the final output was a collective effort. This approach not only improved the quality of the work but also fostered a strong sense of community within the team.

DataBasicCymru

Being entrusted by my colleagues to facilitate the rollout of a data training programme was a huge honour in my professional development. The training course, DataBasicCymru, helps beginners to data build their confident and increase their data fluency. During my time working on this project, we rolled out the training to 18 local authorities and Y Senedd, facilitating training to over 400 participants. Receiving excellent feedback from participants gave me so much satisfaction, as I believe that data is for everyone and people will rely more and more on accurate data in the future.

Looking ahead

As I prepare to leave Data Cymru and look to the future, I’m extremely excited about the possibilities ahead. I have an incredible opportunity with my new employers to use the skills I’ve learned and provide more data insights to public service. I know from experience that data makes a difference, and I encourage everyone to incorporate data into their work, whether as a career path or something that can add value in their work. The possibilities with data are endless, and providing data insights which allow others to make informed decisions can change the world!

Since 2017, Data Cymru has committed to comply with the Welsh Language Standards, as set out by the Welsh Government under Section 44 of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011. These standards set clear expectations for us to provide services in Welsh to our customers, and to promote the use of the Welsh language for all services. It includes standards we must comply with in service delivery, policy making, operations and record keeping.

Recently, there has been an internal drive to use Welsh more frequently and more organically at work and to be able to provide more services, where possible, through the Welsh language. To encourage Welsh learning and speaking in the office among staff in both informal and formal settings we’ve committed to a ‘Coffi Cymraeg’ once a month. These meetings are an opportunity for learners to practice, for fluent Welsh speakers to keep-up and even those with little to no Welsh* are welcome to come along and listen.

At Data Cymru we’re committed to continued development and learning for our staff and so, in July, our Chief Operating Officer, Richard Palmer, and I headed out on the road to Nant Gwrtheyrn in North Wales for a week-long residential Welsh language refresher course.

Nant Gwrtheyrn is home to the National Welsh Language and Heritage Centre, offering both online and residential courses for every level of learning Welsh. Set on the idyllic northern coast of the Llyn Peninsula it’s private and secluded settings offer a unique, immersive experience.

Our five day course began with an introductory session, a chance to get to know our other course-mates and to set some goals. These were wide-ranging but the same themes emerged for everyone: the want for confidence, help with treiglo (mutations) and some practical improvements for using Welsh at work. I subscribed to all of these learning goals but also a want to enjoy using Welsh.

It amused me that we were all so impressed with each other’s Welsh language skills and quite ready to disparage our own. Why are the Welsh so reluctant to sing their own praises? Because, despite all of us being able to talk fluently and at length, on a range of different topics, we all felt we didn’t “have enough Welsh” or “weren’t good enough”. If you think the Brits over-apologise, wait ‘til you meet ten eager but nervous Welsh speakers trying to improve their language skills.

Our tutor for the week took us through some established course content as well as being flexible enough to help us with specific queries or goals. An ideal blend, of grammar lessons, presentation work and siarad fel pwll y mor “talking non-stop”.

We were fortunate, though I suspect this is a highly common phenomenon at Nant Gwrtheyrn, to have bonded as a group quickly and to all feel comfortable in sharing, challenging and quizzing each other.

By the end of the third day, I found I was thinking and writing in Welsh without having to prompt myself to do so first. And by Friday, I didn’t feel like I was translating from English to Welsh before talking, I was, in the main, really talking Welsh! Not bad for someone who hasn’t used Welsh at any real length since my GCSE’s.

Both Richard and I couldn’t sing the Nant’s praises more highly - and we’d been lucky enough to enjoy a good sing-song with the group and fellow attendee, singer-songwriter Eve Goodman!

There are plenty of other Data Cymru staff who will now look to attend courses at the Nant, from beginners to refresher courses, online and residential. Richard has even signed up to the written refresher course.

As a result of my experience and support from Data Cymru I’ve now delivered several training courses in Welsh. I’ve also sent emails and hosted meetings in Welsh. It’s our ambition to offer Welsh language training sessions (rather than our current offer which is to provide simultaneous English to Welsh translation if at least 10% of those attending wish to use Welsh).

It was a privilege to have attended Nant Gwrtheyrn and I’m delighted to be working at Data Cymru, where we encourage using Welsh not only because of our commitment to the Welsh Language Standards but because for some of us, working in Welsh just makes sense.

*Personally, I refute the idea that anyone living in Wales has “no Welsh” because, yes, “Rydw i’n hoffi coffi” does count and most people know at least a word, shwmai or Cymru, for example.

About the author

Róisín Roberts

Róisín is our Data Insight and Engagement officer. She supports our engagement and improvement work. She also leads our capacity building work programme.