How one administrator is using Microsoft’s Power Platform to support community engagement, with help from a Cosmic Skills Bootcamp

Engaging Communities Southwest (ECSW) champions Engaging Communities Southwest (ECSW) champions local people and communities across the South West by making sure their voices shape the services around them. As an organisation exploring how the Power Platform for non-profits can improve community engagement, ECSW works across health care, social services, community projects and the voluntary sector to design, evaluate and develop services that reflect real needs.

At ECSW, Jack plays a vital role in helping teams run smoothly so they can focus on what matters: listening to communities and making public services better. From data management to daily processes, Jack’s job requires clarity, consistency and confidence with digital tools.

That’s why he joined Cosmic’s L3 Skills Bootcamp in Power BI and Power Automate, to deepen his understanding of the tools already available through his Microsoft 365 licence, and to see how they could support the organisation’s impact.

Now, Jack is rethinking how digital systems can help non-profits work smarter, especially through the Power Platform for non-profits, which offers low-code tools ideal for organisations like ECSW.

Discovering powerful tools hiding in plain sight for non-profits

Before the Bootcamp, Jack hadn’t explored much beyond basic functions in Microsoft 365. The course changed that quickly.

“I was surprised at how many tools were already available through my existing Microsoft licence. I would never have thought to explore them without this Bootcamp.”

He’s now using that knowledge to redesign everyday systems, from room bookings to data reporting, and already has ideas for improving equipment management and CRM processes.

From “basic email automation” to confident experimentation

Jack has come a long way with the Microsoft Power Platform:

• Power Automate:
  “I’d only used it for basic email workflows before. Now I see it can link with multiple platforms. I’m not 100% confident yet, but I’m happy to experiment.”
• Canvas Apps:
  “Brand new to me! I picked them up quickly thanks to the Bootcamp. Jon made it easy and answered all my questions.”
• Power BI:
  “I already had some experience, but learning more about Power Query and data transformation was a game-changer, such a time saver!”

These tools are helping Jack save time, reduce manual work, and create more consistent systems, all while supporting the mission of the organisation.

A real-world power platfrom project, with lasting impact

As part of his Bootcamp, Jack built a prototype room booking system for Paignton Community Hub, where his team regularly runs events and activities.

He’s already working on the next phase, with plans to:

• Add the ability to edit and cancel bookings
• Prevent double bookings (while allowing cancellations to be rebooked)
• Improve the Current Bookings page with a calendar-style view
• Add conditional logic to the booking form (e.g. filter rooms by venue type)
• Send automatic confirmation emails using Power Automate
• Refresh Power BI datasets on a schedule (depending on licensing)

“Learning Power Apps has helped massively,  my capstone is based on something we’ll actually use in the future.”

Learning through doing, at your own pace

Jack found the step-by-step build-along the most effective part of the course.

“Rather than just watching, I could embed the steps through repetition. That worked best for me.”

He appreciated the space to learn independently while still having access to a collaborative group and helpful tutors.

“Even though I’m not a fan of group tasks, everyone in the training was so helpful. The team created a welcoming space, I looked forward to the sessions each day.”

Building confidence,  one automation at a time

For Jack, the course wasn’t just about learning tools. It was about feeling empowered to explore and try new things.

“I now actively consider the Power Platform when I need to create or improve a process. That mindset shift is huge.”

Jack’s growing confidence shows how the Power Platform for non-profits can scale from small automations to organisation-wide improvements.He’s still exploring some areas, like when to use “Solutions” in Power Automate but feels confident in continuing to learn and experiment.

Jack’s story shows how the Power Platform an unlock huge benefits, even with small, targeted changes. Whether it’s streamlining admin or improving reporting, tools like Power BI and Power Automate are helping teams like his work better for the communities they serve.

Would you like to build your own skills? Why not take a look at Cosmic’s L3 Skills Bootcamp in Power BI and Power Automate yourself? The final cohort starts on January 2026 – spacesare limited!