Getting to grips with Liberty Create: A Service Designer’s training experience

My background

I have spent the past few years working mainly with public sector organisations across the UK. This involved supporting local government teams in digital transformation. Most commonly in content design, creating accessible services, and generally helping to improve how departments use digital tools and data.

I had this burning feeling that I wanted to be responsible for creating something more tangible to improve end to end processes from inside the public sector. Helping to reduce the number of tools and systems doing the same thing, save time and money and improve the way data is managed.  

The motivation led me to join the service design team at Cumberland Council in February 2025.  

Why Cumberland

Cumberland Council has been working with Netcall for a while now. Netcall provide low code application development software to help with digital transformation. The software allows you to create real practical transformation solutions without needing to be a developer.  It is exciting to see how the digital service design team continue to harness these tools working alongside teams to improve the way they provide services to residents. In my mind this was the answer to that burning feeling I’d had.

Getting up to speed

I’d heard of Netcall’s low code platform before joining Cumberland but had not used it first-hand. Stepping into my Liberty Create training felt a bit like jumping in at the deep end—but in the best possible way.

I’m delighted to say I recently became a Liberty Create Low-code certified builder, and while it was definitely challenging at times, it turned out to be a genuinely positive and rewarding experience. It’s already shifted how I think about what’s possible in my role.

A thoughtfully structured training plan

What stood out immediately was the structure of the training itself. Initially following a clear, step-by-step guide through the platform with enough direction to understand the key concepts, followed by the freedom to explore and build things independently. That balance made all the difference. I appreciated that it wasn’t just about following instructions, but also about problem-solving and thinking like a builder within the system. It doesn’t stop there Netcall offer a wealth of training in their academy, which I’m continuing to utilise.

Hats off to Fabio

A big shoutout to the trainer, Fabio Brugnoli, who brought clarity and patience to the sessions and assessment. Making it feel achievable, not intimidating.

What I took away

By the end of the training, I’d not only built something tangible but also developed a much stronger understanding of how low-code tools like Liberty Create can support service transformation. It’s given me the confidence to start contributing more meaningfully to our digital projects and how we can support and collaborate with services across the organisation.

Looking ahead

I still have a lot to learn, but the training has put me in a far better place to navigate the technical side of service design. I’m excited to keep building, learning, and helping shape services that work better for our communities.

If you’re just starting out like I am, and Liberty Create is part of your toolkit—stick with it. It might feel overwhelming at first, but it’s absolutely worth it. 

Author: Gemma Bates