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Torchbox
@torchbox.com
1.3K followers 610 following 130 posts
We're an employee owned digital agency working with amazing not-for-profit and public sector organisations in the UK and around the world. Founding developers of Wagtail CMS.

www.torchbox.com
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torchbox.com
Lisa and Amina are at @ukcharitycamp.bsky.social today, and we’re really pleased to be back as a sponsor this year.

It’s one of our favourite events in the calendar, sharing challenges, swapping ideas and learning from others in the sector.

We’ll share highlights from the day in an upcoming blog.
Lisa Ballam and Amina Iqbal are sitting together at a round table in a bright conference room. Lisa is holding a mug and smiling at the camera, and Amina is smiling beside her. Both are wearing event name badges. Behind them, other attendees are chatting and settling in at tables, with blue and white walls and large overhead lights in the room.
November 13, 2025 at 10:54 AM
torchbox.com
Low-code promises faster AI builds, but does it deliver?

We rebuilt an AI system we’d originally developed for Breast Cancer Now using Django and Python in Microsoft’s ecosystem to find out.

Here’s what we learned: torchbox.com/news/low-cod...

#LowCodeAI #AI #AIForGood
Blog header graphic with the title ‘Low-Code AI: When Microsoft’s Ecosystem is (and isn’t) the answer’. Subheading reads ‘Blog | 5 min read’. Below are circular photos of three authors — Olly Willans, Mitch Cabuloy and Emily Topp-Mugglestone — with the Torchbox logo in the top-right corner on a dark background.
November 11, 2025 at 2:24 PM
torchbox.com
We’ve added a carbon.txt file to our website that will make it easier to share information about our sustainability and hosting.

In today's blog, Chris explains why that matters, and how open standards like this can help build a more transparent and sustainable web.

torchbox.com/news/adding-...
Torchbox blog header graphic with a dark background and the Torchbox logo in the top right. The title reads “Why we’ve added carbon.txt to Torchbox.com.” Below it, the text says “Blog, 2 min read.” At the bottom, there’s a photo of Chris Lawton with the caption “Chris Lawton, Senior Engineer” against a green wave background.
November 5, 2025 at 3:11 PM
torchbox.com
🚨 Microsoft’s Ads for Social Impact programme is ending this December.

In our latest blog, Tanya shares what this means for charities, key dates to know, and how to plan ahead for 2026.

Read more: torchbox.com/charity/blog...

#Microsoft #AdsForSocialImpact #CharitySector
Banner graphic for a Torchbox Charity blog post titled ‘Microsoft to end its Ads for Social Impact programme – what next for nonprofits?’ by Tanya Ellis-Puk, Senior Paid Media Executive. The design features a dark background with pink curved shapes at the bottom and the Torchbox Charity logo in the top right corner.
November 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM
torchbox.com
We’re looking for a Design Innovation Lead to join our Public Sector team.

Please tag and share with your network - applications close Wednesday 5th November. 📆

Find all the details here: torchbox.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoa...

#PublicSector #PublicSectorInnovation #DesignInnovation
A purple graphic featuring a white megaphone icon above the text: “We’re hiring! Design Innovation Lead (Public Sector).” The Torchbox logo appears at the bottom.
October 28, 2025 at 9:42 AM
torchbox.com
Just a few weeks to go until UK Charity Camp, and there are still tickets up for grabs!

📆 Thursday 13th November, Birmingham.

Get your free ticket: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ukcharityc...

@ukcharitycamp.bsky.social
A large group of people at UK Charity Camp pose for a photo in a bright conference room. They’re smiling and standing or sitting in front of a wall covered in colourful sticky notes. Some people wear UK Charity Camp T-shirts, and tables with notebooks, mugs, and pens are visible in the foreground.
October 24, 2025 at 8:03 AM
torchbox.com
AI is rapidly changing how people find information online.

In our latest blog, Jess and Marnie share five ways charities can stay visible - from using paid to support organic activity, to focusing on content AI can’t replicate, like services and products.

Read more: torchbox.com/charity/blog...
A Torchbox Charity graphic with the title “Five ways charities can remain visible in the changing digital landscape”. It includes profile photos of Marnie Winter-Burke and Jess Mackereth, the blog authors, and text noting it’s a 4-minute read.
October 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM
torchbox.com
We’re delighted to be part of Digital Leaders’ AI Week - a 10-day online festival of AI learning.

Find out more about our talk with Guy's and St Thomas'​ NHS Foundation Trust and how we're using AI-powered interviews to scale qualitative research, here: aiweek.digileaders.com/talks/how-ca...

#AI
AI Week 2025 - The UK's 10-day online festival of AI learning. 13-24 October 2025.
October 6, 2025 at 10:28 AM
torchbox.com
There's less than a week to go until Wagtail Space! 🚀

This year, you’ll hear from:

• Trish Thomas, London Museum
• Jonathan Chittenden, Full Fact
• Annette Lewis, Six Feet Up
• Michael Trythall, Lincoln Loop

Plus loads more!

Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AtWesoZI_...

#Django #Python #OpenSource
“Promotional graphic for Wagtail Space 2025. Illustration of a pink rocket with a wagtail bird in the window flying through space, leaving a glowing purple trail. Text reads: ‘Wagtail Space 2025. 8–10 October. With talks on everything from building better Wagtail sites to creative uses of AI, community contributions, and digital library innovation.’”
October 2, 2025 at 9:09 AM
torchbox.com
The speakers for Wagtail Space 2025 are here - and it’s a brilliant lineup!

Including:

• State of Wagtail, Thibaud Colas
• Creating connections between stories and objects using AI, Trish Thomas
• Building better Wagtail sites, Michael Trythall

See the full agenda: events.zoom.us/ev/AtWesoZI_...
“Promotional graphic for Wagtail Space 2025. A pink rocket with a wagtail bird logo launches into a starry night sky, leaving a glowing pink trail that forms the event title: ‘Wagtail Space 2025’. Below, text reads: ‘8–10 October. This year’s programme spans AI, accessibility, design systems, success stories, and much more!’”
September 22, 2025 at 2:36 PM
torchbox.com
Our 2024 Impact Report is here! 🌎

Read about:

• Reducing emissions by 24%
• Progress on accessible and sustainable web practices and contributions to open source
• Continued commitment to DEI, wellbeing, and co-ownership

Plus much more!

Read: torchbox.com/about/impact...

#ImpactReporting
Torchbox logo alongside title, Impact Report 2024. Featuring an illustration of a blue sky with windmills and a small yellow plane.
September 9, 2025 at 2:05 PM
torchbox.com
Excitement is building for Wagtail Space 2025!🚀

This year’s conference takes place online on 8–10 October, bringing together educators, publishing professionals, developers, open source enthusiasts, and leaders from around the globe for talks and networking.

Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AtWesoZI_...
Graphic for Wagtail Space. The background is dark blue with abstract circular patterns. Large text reads “Wagtail Space is back! October 8–9, 2025. Online.” Below, in smaller text: “A free virtual event for people who are improving the world through code and content."
August 27, 2025 at 9:42 AM
torchbox.com
What should a modern charity’s digital architecture look like?

It’s a big question, but one we’ve helped many charities answer. In our latest blog, CTO Helen Warren shares the clear patterns that underpin thriving digital ecosystems.

Read: torchbox.com/charity/blog...

#Nonprofits #CharitySector
"What should a modern charity technical architecture look like?" Blog, 5 min read. Written by Helen Warren, Chief Technology Officer.
August 21, 2025 at 7:17 AM
torchbox.com
The Procurement Act 2023 came into force six months ago, aiming to simplify and modernise public procurement across the UK. But what’s changed in practice?

Ania shares insights from buyer and supplier perspectives, with tips to help organisations apply the new rules.

torchbox.com/public-secto...
"Procurement Act 2023: six months on, what’s really changed?", 6 min blog, written by Ania Obarska, Senior Bid Manager.
August 20, 2025 at 8:12 AM
torchbox.com
Thibaud is in Tanzania this week for DjangoCon Africa, connecting with the global community.

The event brings together developers, educators, and contributors from across the continent and beyond for three days of talks, workshops, coding, and community-building.

📸 @djcafrica.bsky.social
A group of around 15 people seated at a long wooden table in a warmly lit restaurant. Thibaud Colas is seated at the front right of the table, smiling towards the camera. Others in the group are also smiling or chatting, with drinks and glasses on the table. A large group photo taken outdoors at DjangoCon Africa. Around 80 attendees are gathered in front of a conference venue, posing with arms raised in celebration. The DjangoCon Africa and UbuCon Africa banners are visible in the background. Thibaud Colas, wearing a red checked shirt and glasses, is seated at a table working on a laptop covered in colourful stickers. His conference name badge is visible, and the DjangoCon Africa and UbuCon Africa logos are in the background.
August 14, 2025 at 8:26 AM
torchbox.com
Final call to join Wednesday's webinar with Guy's and St Thomas'​ NHS Foundation Trust, where we’ll take you behind the scenes of how AI is helping them hear from more staff and in more depth.

Find out more and sign up: torchbox.com/scale-qualit...

#HealthcareInnovation #AI
How can you scale qualitative research with AI? 13th August, 10.30 am. Online webinar.
August 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
torchbox.com
Do you work in UX, product, service design or research within a nonprofit or public sector organisation? If so, we’d love to invite you to our upcoming webinar.

Learn how we’re using AI-powered interviews to scale qualitative research.

Find all the details here: torchbox.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Event graphic for an online webinar titled "How can you scale qualitative research with AI?" hosted by Torchbox Public and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. The webinar takes place on 12th August at 10:30am. Speaker headshots and names are shown at the bottom: Emma Halahan (Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust), Cassie Cardiff (Torchbox), and Madhav Manoj (Torchbox). The background is purple with white text and logos.
July 30, 2025 at 3:22 PM
torchbox.com
🚨 Latest Meta update: EU-wide ban on social issue ads coming this October (not currently impacting the UK)

Find out more about what this update means for charity advertising and what to do next if you're affected: torchbox.com/charity/blog...

#Meta #Nonprofits
EU-wide ban on social issue ads coming this October, not currently impacting the UK Tuesday 29th July Read the latest updates
July 29, 2025 at 1:59 PM
torchbox.com
How is AI changing how people find health information online and what does it mean for health charities?

Join us on Wednesday at 12:30pm for a free lunch and learn webinar to explore the evolving SEO landscape for health organisations.

Sign up: torchbox.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

#SEO #Health #AI
The state of SEO for health charities - Weds 30th July 10am - See you on Zoom
July 28, 2025 at 9:13 AM
torchbox.com
We’re over the moon that Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been ranked #1 for accessibility across all NHS websites, according to the Silktide Index.

Find out more: index.silktide.com/category/nhs...

Read more about this project: torchbox.com/public-secto...
Screenshot from the Silktide Index showing the top 3 NHS websites for accessibility in the UK as of July 2025. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (cuh.nhs.uk) is ranked 1st, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (royalcornwallhospitals.nhs.uk) is ranked 2nd, and NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (cios.icb.nhs.uk) is ranked 3rd. Each ranking is represented with a gold, silver, or bronze ribbon icon respectively. The image is branded with "UK NHS" and "In partnership with Socitm.
July 17, 2025 at 9:10 AM
torchbox.com
Latest Meta advertising updates - New restrictions coming 🚨

From September 2nd, Meta has announced it will block the use of any custom audiences or conversions that include sensitive information.

Scroll to the Latest News section of our blog to learn more: torchbox.com/charity/blog...
Charity advertising: Further restrictions coming from Meta this September Date: Wednesday 16th July 2025 Read the latest updates
July 16, 2025 at 9:46 AM
torchbox.com
How do you properly understand the needs of 23K+ NHS staff when most are too busy saving lives for interviews, and surveys don’t tell the full story?

Join us to explore how AI-powered interviews can help scale qualitative research across busy, complex teams.

Info: torchbox.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Purple event graphic with the title: “How can you scale qualitative research with AI?” A white speech bubble reads: 12th August, 10.30 am. Logos for Torchbox Public and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust appear at the top. Below, speaker headshots and names are listed: Emma Halahan, Product Manager (Digital Communications), Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust Cassie Cardiff, Senior User Researcher, Torchbox Madhav Manoj, Senior Engineer, Torchbox
July 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
torchbox.com
We're looking for a new Client Partner within our charity sector team. Could it be you?

In this role, you'll drive growth, support strategic planning, and deliver impactful outcomes for our charity clients.

Find more details about the role and how to apply here: torchbox.com/about/who-we...
Photograph of Michael laughing with the Torchbox logo overlaid and wording that says 'We're looking for a new Client Partner'.
July 2, 2025 at 12:32 PM
torchbox.com
We’re looking forward to Camp Digital tomorrow in Manchester. It's set to be a great day of talks exploring design, ethics, accessibility and innovation in digital public services.

We'll bring you highlights from the day early next week.

See you there!

@nexerdigital.com #CampDigital
Torchbox Public at Camp Digital - Thursday 3rd July 2025. See you there!
July 2, 2025 at 8:41 AM
torchbox.com
Ellie and Mark recently joined #LocalGovCamp South West for a day of open, peer-led conversations on digital and service transformation.

They held a workshop on bridging the central-local gov gap, with examples of what’s working, common barriers and next steps.

We'll share this as a webinar soon!
Ellie and Mark stand behind our branded table at Local Gov Camp - our roller banner reads: We partner with public sector organisations to explore, design and realise digital solutions and services that benefit all.
July 1, 2025 at 12:49 PM