What we do

We are transformation partners to public and voluntary sector organisations that want to build more collaborative public services, putting people at the centre, creating holistic support and recognising strengths.

We understand that improving outcomes for communities requires place-based collaboration across all sectors. We help to strengthen partnerships and teams based on collaborative foundations such as a shared vision, strong relationships, collaborative behaviours and understanding the means for collaborative action.

We design and deliver bespoke programmes to develop collaborative and system leadership skills and behaviours that equip people to address complex challenges.

We know strong, connected communities hold solutions to many of the challenges we face as a society and as a planet. We help organisations to collaborate and engage with civil society, local people and service users through sharing power, co-production and supporting community action.

We help organisations and partnerships understand the importance of learning when tackling complex challenges. We facilitate peer learning and development of learning cultures and capabilities, and co-design new learning tools and frameworks.
Growing the movement for collaboration
As well as supporting organisations and partnerships in the ways described above, we also work to develop the movement for collaboration more broadly in the UK:
- We publish thought-leadership such as our Manifesto for a Collaborative Society;
- We share insights and resources from our work;
- We convene events and conversations to spark debate and inspire collective action e.g. our Collaborative Society podcast series;
- We work with others in strategic partnerships to develop and promote collaborative practice e.g. our role in developing Human Learning Systems, and ongoing role in co-leading this work as part of the HLS Collaborative.
Apr 11th 2025
Collaborating with communities Collaborative leadership Insights Local government Place-based partnershipsPeople, purpose and power for a new era
New partnership approaches are needed to tackle the challenges at the heart of local government,…
Mar 7th 2025
Collaborating with communities InsightsA vision of the collaborative relationships, partnerships and leadership needed to make the English Devolution White Paper work
This article was originally published in the MJ, on the 27 February 2025 Devolution and local government…
Feb 20th 2025
Collaborate news Insights Reports Voluntary and communityA new era for Wigan Borough: from The Deal to Progress with Unity
Wigan Borough worked with partners to review the Wigan Deal and explore a ‘new era’…
Nov 26th 2024
Insights Reports Voluntary and communityReframing Commissioning: Provocations for Change
Millions of disabled people rely on state-funded services and the valuable care workforce in order…
Sep 5th 2024
Collaborating with communities InsightsCharting a New Era of change in Wigan
This article was originally published in the MJ, on the 28th August 2024 Wigan’s new phase of…
Aug 14th 2024
Insights Voluntary and communityFostering meaningful collaboration between the VCSE and public sector: lessons from creating a ‘new era’ in Wigan
This is the first in a series of blogs sharing our practical insights about what…
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