Join our waiting list!

We’ve designed a new course on the keystone to improving data use in your organisation: Building Data Culture.

We were thrilled with the level of interest for the pilot of this course and have already selected participants to join our pilot in September 2025. If you want to be one of the first to hear when we launch the first open course, join our waiting list now.


Course details

Building data culture course

A 5-week online training course enabling people in data roles to build better data culture, embedding it more deeply into mindsets and operations.

building data culture course illustrated by a tower of building blocks

About the course

This course is designed for people working in data roles who want to encourage better use of data across their organisations. It explores what organisational culture is, what good data culture looks like (and how it can be influenced), and offers strategies for effectively engaging colleagues in the value of data.

A highly practical course, it will encourage you to put new approaches into action each week. You’ll learn about engaging activities and games to try in your own organisation, then reflect and learn from them with the support of your peers in the group.

I think the course is a great starting point to learn what good data culture actually looks like, as well as learn about practical approaches on how to build appetite for everyone in the team to work with and get excited about the possibilities of data. It’s not just about knowing what to do, but HOW to do it.
— Alex Charles, Head of IT & Data, Law Centres Network
It helped me see more clearly that improving data culture needs shared intent and buy-in from leadership and the wider organisation, and gave me practical and theoretical strategies for how to talk about that. For me, it was a valuable way to frame the work ahead and to shape future discussions on data culture.
— Glen Winterbourne

Who’s it for?

This course is for people in data-focused roles in charities, social enterprises, housing associations, membership bodies and networks, trusts and foundations, and public sector organisations.

In particular: data managers; data analysts; data strategists; monitoring, evaluation & learning, business improvement and knowledge management professionals; and leaders with responsibility for effective delivery or operations. Anyone who needs to engage colleagues in the effective use of data.

What will you gain from the course?

Each 2-hour session will build on your understanding of organisational data culture and how you can actively develop it. The course will be run completely online over 5 weeks. You’ll work alongside a cohort of up to 15 other data professionals and have the opportunity to network and learn from each other, creating opportunities for ongoing peer support.

The course will help you to:

  • Better understand what data culture is, how it’s shaped and its value to an organisation.

  • Identify the values, mindsets and behaviours that contribute to data culture.

  • Identify specific data challenges and potential improvements within your organisation, as well as the role you can play.

  • Take steps towards engaging colleagues to build communities of shared responsibility within your organisation.

  • Learn from your peers’ experiences of engaging colleagues and building data culture.

Programme details

The course is divided into manageable chunks across 5 sessions of 2 hours, all delivered live and online, via Teams. Sessions include breaks.

  • We’ll lay foundations for our work together over the four weeks – building a shared vocabulary and understanding of data culture. You’ll reflect on where your organisation is currently and build a vision for where you’d like to get to – taking away some practical first steps. 

  • We’ll explore how organisational culture is built and shaped and you’ll map out opportunities for using data better within your organisation. Together, we’ll share strategies for engaging colleagues with different motivations and interests, and plan next steps to making this happen.

  • We’ll experiment and play with different techniques to engage others within your organisation in data. As a group, we’ll practice building buy-in and accountability, as well as igniting curiosity and confidence among your colleagues. 

  • We’ll review actions and progress to build a stronger data culture within your organisations. You'll have a chance to share successes and troubleshoot challenges with your peers, and build an action plan to enact your data culture vision.

How much does it cost?

Early bird cost £599+VAT per delegate
Standard cost £699+VAT per delegate

We’re piloting this course with a selection of keen applicants. After the pilot, we’ll be announcing dates for the new course. Join our waiting list to be one of the first to hear details.    

More info

    • Sian Basker: Sian is our Co-CEO. Sian combines a passion for data with a skill for communication and a drive to build knowledge in the nonprofit sector. She has designed and delivered training materials, courses, events and workshops for over 25 years. More about Sian

    • Jay Dev: Jay is an experienced teacher, trainer and facilitator. He has worked with nonprofit and public sector organisations to improve their practice of sharing data, measuring and evaluating programmes, and building data visualisation and storytelling literacy. More about Jay

    • Natalie Tucker: Natalie is a consultant, trainer and leadership coach for charities, social enterprises, funders, and impact-driven startups. As a trainer and facilitator, Natalie focuses on making workshops inclusive and engaging. More about Natalie

  • Data Orchard CIC has a deep understanding of how data is currently being used in the nonprofit sector. We have been pioneering research on data maturity since 2015, developed the world’s first data maturity framework and assessment for the not for profit sector (which was later used by the UK government to build their own), and publish annual ‘State of the Sector - Data Maturity in the Nonprofit Sector’ reports. We also have a good understanding of the challenges faced by nonprofit sector organisations where resources are tight and need to be deployed carefully.

    Our team of data specialists have wide experience in designing training courses and curriculums, and delivering effective training across many sectors, including charities, social enterprises, housing and public sector organisations.

In brief

  • Early bird cost £599+VAT per delegate
    Standard cost £699+VAT per delegate

  • 2hrs/week x 5 weeks, delivered online

  • For people working in data-focused roles

  • Small cohort 6-15 people

  • Peer networking

Join our waiting list to be one of the first to hear when we fully launch this new training course.


Book inhouse training

We can deliver this course to a team of people in your organisation. Talk to us about developing a tailored programme.


Our courses are Chosen by


This course is perfect for anyone who wants to improve data culture within their organisation. It’s not just about improving data literacy - it’s about building confidence, curiosity, and shared ownership around data. You’ll walk away with both insight and tools you can immediately apply in your context.
— Anushka Gunes, Impact Information and Data Officer, Equality Now
Before attending the Data Culture course, our team was struggling to consider practical steps to improve our data culture and take into account inconsistent data practices across the organisation. The course reminded me that the basis of data culture is people and to consider what resonates with each audience. We could adapt strategies to fit, which will collectively aid building a cohesive and effective data culture.
— Pauline Barlow, Social Security Scotland

Join the waiting list