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 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.
Sep 14th, 2023

Learning resource: changing local systems to improve Early Learning Outcomes

Collaborate and NPC have published a new report sharing key insights from Save the Children’s Early Learning Communities programme. It is designed to be a…

Sep 13th, 2023

Connecting people and places: how local authorities can work across place-based systems to alleviate loneliness

Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health for East Sussex, has just published his annual report ‘Connecting People and Places: Bringing communities together in East Sussex’….

Aug 30th, 2023

Collaborate CIC and Involve are working together as an External Scrutiny Team during the development of the new 2024-2028 Grenfell Support Programme

We are an independent team, external from the Council, appointed to work with bereaved, survivors and the immediate local community, to ensure their voices are…

Aug 30th, 2023

Come and join our free online event exploring collaborative behaviours

Following the launch of our Guide to Collaboration, we invite you to join us for a series of lunchtime conversations exploring the six foundations of…

Aug 23rd, 2023

Collaborate’s Summer Newsletter

Conversations and Connections Hosting conversations to spark debate and inspire collective action are a big part of the work we do here at Collaborate. The…

Aug 21st, 2023

How Greater Manchester has achieved together things they could not have achieved alone

“Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and its constituent member councils are the undisputed pioneers of English devolution. This success is built on a long history…

Aug 21st, 2023

Collaborating for Social Change: building healthy, trusting relationships

Insights from the first of a series of conversations exploring the six foundations for effective collaboration We recently launched our Guide to Collaboration, a short…

Jun 29th, 2023

How Redbridge Council enabled collaboration with communities by building a learning-led, self-managing team 

Redbridge Council hopes to build a different kind of relationship with local people by creating new physical spaces that combine services (like libraries, children’s services…

Apr 26th, 2023

Exploring equity, diversity and inclusion with Human Learning Systems practitioners.

Reducing inequity is a complex and ongoing struggle and one that requires our commitment and persistence. As the Human Learning System (HLS) approach develops, we…

Apr 26th, 2023

Collaborate’s Spring Newsletter

Spring is in the air, and we have a lot of good news to share from Collaborate HQ! Firstly, we’ve published a new – and…