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 collaborative 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
Building a collaborative future
The perils of perma-crisis Times are hard. We know the headlines: climate crisis, the enduring impacts of Covid, the cost of living, war in Europe,…
Beyond project funding: how can funders nurture healthy systems?
Collaborate has been working with the BSA to help them identify what a healthy system for public engagement with research looks like, and develop a funding programme to support this. This is the first in a series of blogs to share our learning so far.
Systems stewardship in practice: What it is and how to get started
Are you trying to collaborate across organisational boundaries but getting stuck due to entrenched behaviours, structures and ways of working? The emerging practice of systems…
Collaborate is recruiting for a new Head of Practice!
NB we have used the job title Consultant in our adverts as it is more broadly understood, but internally we use the title of Head…
Embedding our values through driving more inclusive recruitment
What does it mean to try to embed values and culture in practice throughout our organisation to help further our mission to build a more…
How flooding spurred a rethink of the relationship between citizen and state in Test Valley
In our recent work with Test Valley Council, we found it inspirational to learn about how they’ve developed relationships with local communities and embedded this…
How can funders really shift power to communities? By losing control
Collaborate’s mission and work is focused on helping create a more collaborative and equitable society. In partnership with The Social Change Agency, Collaborate co-convenes the ‘Losing…
Learning from young people’s vision for public services. (TLDR: It’s not New Public Management)
Chloë Darlington, Policy and Communications Manager at Children England contributes this guest blog during Human Learning Systems Week. Children England’s mission is to change the world…
Covid showed us collaboration is for life, not just for pandemics
Anna Randle, Collaborate’s CEO, asks what did we learn from the pandemic and how can this help us build healthier communities now? The pandemic is an…
