All Wales Public Service Organisations internet and social media survey

The Public Engagement Working Group (PEWG), a multi agency collaboration including the Welsh Government, Participation Cymru, NLIAH, Welsh NHS Confederation, WLGA, Wales Audit Office and Cardiff Business School, came together to ensure a coherence of knowledge, skills and approach to delivering and sustaining effective citizen centred design, development and improved delivery of public services across Wales. One of the objectives of the group is to look at linkages to identify new and relevant opportunities for events and or training.

From recent studies of the use of social media in public services and also anecdotal evidence, we know that digital engagement and social media activity is varied across Wales public services. We are also know that social media is increasingly seen as an accessible and value for money way of working for all sectors. In order to address the barriers through skills development, national guidance and direction and more importantly connect organisations those that have "something to share" and those that have "something to learn", we need to have a clearer picture of the issues for both organisations and individuals and the areas we need to consider as part of our remit to address challenges.

An All Wales internet and social media survey was commissioned by PEWG and is being undertaken in partnership with Socitm Wales, Communities 2.0 and digital inclusion, Customer Focus Wales and the Data Unit Wales and is being championed by Councillor Peter Fox, Leader of Monmouthshire County Councillor and WLGA spokesperson for ICT and Digital Inclusion.

This on-line survey took place between 14th September and 19th October 2012. Below are some of the survey highlights.

There were 576 respondents of which 50% were from local government, 19% Third sector, 17% Welsh Government and 7% NHS and 6% other services.

Overall the results of the survey substantiated the anecdotal evidence, however what was particularly heartening were 123 examples respondents provided of how their organisations use social media effectively.

These examples together with a full analysis of the results will inform future actions to support the use of social media in Welsh public services and will be published later this year.

You can downlad a copy of the headline results below.