Case Study - Defence Gardens Scheme

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The Scottish Tech Army has been working closely with The Defence Gardens Scheme to develop and improve its new website.  As DGS prepare to launch the website, we spoke with Founder and Managing Director, Sally Coulthard MBE and STA volunteer Lauren Kennedy to learn more about the project.

The Defence Gardens Scheme is a developing network of gardens providing nature-based therapy for service leavers and veterans and their families.

Sally Coulthard presented at a Royal Society of Arts event called RSA Engage, which connects arts organisations to support opportunities that don’t involve funding.  While presenting, Sally met with a representative from Inspiring Scotland who offered to help her expand her venture in Scotland.  Sally engaged with Inspiring Scotland and their volunteers. When speaking about her website, they signposted her to the Scottish Tech Army.  

Sally said “When I spoke to Inspiring Scotland about my website, they mentioned that their technical volunteers came via the Scottish Tech Army.  I met with Joanna Allan virtually to discuss my project and requirements. Then I was allocated my project volunteer, Lauren.”

Scottish Tech Army volunteer Lauren Kennedy had recently graduated from University when a family friend who was volunteering with the group on a different project suggested joining and building upon her skillset in Marketing.

Working closely with Sally, Lauren worked with DGS on the website’s look and feel, advised on the layout, standardisation, and usability. Lauren also assisted DGS during the project by editing the website wording, setting up email marketing using Mailchimp and training their staff on how to use the platform. Lauren also helped to set up social media platforms for future use.

Lauren said: “Working with Defence Gardens Scheme has been lovely; they are such a friendly and welcoming charity, and it has been my pleasure helping them! Equally for me working with STA has been amazing, the experience and skills that I have learned have been great. It has allowed me to learn and gain experience in websites that I may not have been able to gain elsewhere; it also helped build my self-confidence whilst I looked for work in such an unsettling time.”

Sally added: “The support from the Scottish Tech Army has been excellent.  Lauren’s engagement with the project, flair for design and attention to detail has made a significant contribution to the website.”

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