Digital Engagement Masterclass | Training for NHS, Council and VCSE Teams (September Cohort)

Digital engagement is now central to how public‑sector and VCSE organisations listen, involve and communicate with communities. But most engagement and comms teams were never formally trained in what “good” digital engagement looks like - or how digital channels can support trust‑building, inclusion and better decision‑making.

Open Voice Lab has launched the September cohort of our Digital Engagement Masterclass, a practical four‑session online course designed for people working in engagement, consultation, communications, digital engagement and community development roles across the NHS, local government and the VCSE sector.

This masterclass helps teams rethink how digital can support listening and participation and gives people the confidence to use digital tools in a way that is safe, accessible and aligned with public‑sector expectations.

What the Digital Engagement Masterclass Covers

Across four half‑day online sessions, participants explore:

• how digital engagement has changed in 2024/25

• the role of digital channels in listening, inclusion and trust‑building

• how to understand and respond to public commentary

• practical approaches to digital engagement planning

• accessibility and inclusion across digital routes

• how to use AI safely and appropriately in engagement work

• what “good” looks like now for public‑sector digital engagement

This course is designed for people who don’t see themselves as “digital experts”, and focuses on real practice, real examples and sector‑aware guidance.

Who This Digital Engagement Training Is For

This masterclass is suitable for:

• NHS engagement and communications teams

• Local authority engagement, consultation and digital teams

• VCSE organisations working with communities

• Public‑sector participation, insight and community development roles

The course is £600 + VAT, with a 20% discounted rate available for charities and VCSE organisations.

Why Digital Engagement Matters in 2026

Public‑sector, VCSE and charitable organisations are facing:

• more complex public conversations

• higher expectations for transparency

• increased scrutiny across digital channels

• new behaviours in how people express views online

• rapid changes in digital tools, platforms and AI

This masterclass helps teams understand these shifts and build confidence in using digital routes safely, effectively and in line with public‑sector values.

Course Format and Pricing

• Four half‑day online sessions

• Delivered live online

• Practical exercises, examples and sector‑specific scenarios

• £600 + VAT

• 20% discount available for charities and VCSE organisations

How to Register for the Masterclass

Registration is now open for our September cohort. We can also deliver bespoke versions of this training in-house for your teams – just get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Digital Engagement Masterclass?

It’s a four‑session online course that helps public‑sector, charities and VCSE teams understand how digital engagement works, how digital channels support listening and engagement, and what “good” digital engagement looks like now.

What will I learn in the Digital Engagement Masterclass?

We’ll teach you everything you need to know to maximise your engagement via digital channels. Moving beyond posting survey links online we get in to different channel strategies, content creation, organic social, paid social media, why it’s important to think about the digital journey, search and what this means for how you do your content, accessibility, inclusion, digital exclusion.

We distil everything we know, and implemented in the NHS, in to this course.

Is this training suitable for NHS and council teams?

Yes. The primary audience for this course is engagement professionals working in the public sector, but it is also highly relevant to VCSE and charities as the skills are comparable across these sectors.

Do I need digital experience to join?

No. The course is designed for people who know engagement but have not used digital as part of their engagement work much and certainly don’t see themselves as digital specialists.

How much does the Digital Engagement Masterclass cost?

The course is £600 + VAT, with a 20% discounted rate available for charities and VCSE organisations.

Is the course delivered online?

Yes. The masterclass is delivered as four half‑day online sessions.

We can also offer this course in-house to teams.

Does the training cover AI in engagement and consultation?

Yes. We touch on AI and how it has impacted the digital engagement world. However, we do have a bespoke course called "AI for Engagement Work: Your Essential Human Guide" which gets into more detail.

Are discounts available for charities and VCSE organisations?

Yes. Reduced rates are available for VCSE and charity teams at 20%.

How is the Digital Masterclass delivered?

The course in September is online via 4 half-day sessions. In our typical Open Voice Lab, the delivery is fun, practical and with an unexpected twist to keep people engaged. We very much welcome engagement and participation – there are no daft questions and we welcome interruptions.

What is your experience in digital engagement?

Alexia and Rachel have over 35 years + in the public sector working across communication and engagement roles. They have run large and small engagement programmes, some hyper local in individual communities through to regional level exercises. Rachel was previously responsible for a digital team that worked closely with Alexia to transform an NHS organisations approach to digital engagement with great success. They love all things engagement and know how to get accessibility right to increase participation. They are helping to shape sector guidance around the responsible use of AI within formal consultation.