While we all watch the American electoral drama unfold, we thought some of you might welcome the momentary distraction of a Collaborate update...
As we enter a challenging winter, at Collaborate we are incredibly conscious of the ongoing efforts of organisations and groups of all shapes and sizes as they support people and communities through these times.
Recently, we took some time to reflect on what we have been noticing through our work over the last few months. It won’t surprise you that one of our biggest takeaways is that beyond the national COVID-19 headlines, there has been tremendous activity happening in local places. People from all walks of life are coming together to support one another, to deliver basic essentials, form connections and importantly, work to address some of the hidden challenges we may not immediately consider when thinking about the Covid response (domestic abuse and youth isolation, for example). Maintaining these collaborative efforts will be vital - not only as as we enter a new period of national restrictions, but also as a source of collective strength as we navigate what lies ahead in 2021. Our commitment is to continue to help people and places to work together, to promote the stories of hope, and act as a connector and convenor. We know it’s a difficult journey, but we also know and are passionate about what can be achieved through collaboration.
Below we share some of the things we have been working on and publishing, plus a few internal updates. This includes a note about recruitment so please do take a look!
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Upstream Collaborative update:
Over the past year, Collaborate and Nesta have been working closely with a group of practitioners from 20 local authorities who are exploring new ways to create the conditions for people and places to thrive. This is the kind of work we see as being more important than ever in our current context. We believe these diverse approaches share core features that represent the emergence of a new operating model for local government.
The ‘New Operating Models’ framework describes what this new thinking and practice in local government looks like — the mindset, the purpose, the values, principles, behaviours, capabilities and infrastructure that enable it. The paper explores the imperative for innovation within and by local government and shares examples of pioneering practice. Collaborate and Nesta have also co-published two supporting papers that explore how to move new operating models from the margins to the mainstream of practice, and how new approaches to risk can support this transition.
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These reports, based on the work of the local authorities and partners, deepen our collective understanding of this change, and provide more evidence for the shift in public services that we outlined in our Collaborative Society Manifesto. We are looking forward to working with people and places who want to explore, strengthen and implement some of these ideas. If these resonate with you (wherever you may sit in a system) and you want to know more, then please get in touch to see how we can help.
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Homeless Link:
Over the last 18 months, Collaborate has been working with Homeless Link to understand how ideas about systems change can help those working to improve local responses to homelessness. What we found was that people didn’t want more theory. They wanted practical ideas to help them make a difference. And the more we looked, the more we found those practical ideas were all around, embedded in the activities of organisations up and down the country, playing systemic roles within their local contexts.
Drawing on the experience of partners, we have produced a report which provides practical guidance and inspiration for those wanting to improve their response to complex challenges. Again, something that feels particularly pertinent as we look to the future. It sets out how leadership for local systems change can come from anyone and anywhere, and how organisations of all sizes and from any sector can play a role. Through the frameworks we developed we show how the lessons from the case studies we collected might be applied by local change makers in other places, appropriately flexed according to differences in context. We would love to hear what you think of the work and how you might apply this approach in your own context.
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Team update:
Given the level of global uncertainty we feel very lucky and excited to be welcoming some new faces to the Collaborate team.
This month Elle Dodd will be joining our team as a Senior Consultant. Elle joins us from FutureGov where she has been supporting the Towns Fund programme. With a Masters in public policy and experience working in international development and central and local government, we know our work will benefit from her expertise!
As some of you may have noticed, Hannah, our Director of Practice has returned to live in Aotearoa, New Zealand. She is still working with the team on UK projects, but is also connecting with people in New Zealand to find synergies with our work and explore potential partnerships. If you or someone you know would be interested in connecting with Hannah, then do get in touch (they can have face to face meetings there!). You can read some of her early reflections on the opportunities in Aotearoa here.
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We are hiring!
We are recruiting for a consultant to join our team. We are looking for someone who has the ideas, energy and passion for social change and who can help people and places build sustainable collaborations, work through complex challenges, and embed new practice.
Supported by senior members of the team, the consultant will lead projects across the spectrum of our work and build relationships with partners. Drawing on existing Collaborate methodologies and frameworks, they will be encouraged to contribute to the evolution of our approach and thinking.
See our website for more information and please share with your networks. We’d love to hear from people with diverse backgrounds and skills as we know our work is enriched through the varied perspectives within our team.
The deadline for applications is the 16th of November, 5pm.
Warmest wishes,
The Collaborate Team.
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