Who we are

Collaborate is an innovative social consultancy building the thinking, culture and practice of collaboration to help us meet the challenges of the twenty-first century together.

We are living in a time of transition

The complex and global nature of the issues we face are becoming rapidly clearer. Social inequality is growing. The climate crisis is accelerating. Public services are struggling to help people who need their support. So, we are asking: what must we transition to, and how do we get there?

Our vision

Our vision is of a collaborative society: equitable, caring and sustainable. People and organisations can create a better future together than they can alone.

To achieve this vision, we help grow the movement for change and blend cutting edge thinking with the ability to support local partners and leaders to reshape organisations, public services and places with collaboration for the public good at their heart.

Our origin

Founded as a not-for-profit social enterprise by public services champion Lord Victor Adebowale, we work across boundaries alongside everyone from local authority chief executives and social activists, to NHS trusts and civil society leaders. We start from the belief that change is always possible and bring a positive spirit to everything we do.

We believe the places and projects we work on represent the green shoots of the future we want to create.

The future is collaborative. Let’s build it together.

Oct 4th, 2023

Collaborating for Social Change: building collaborative behaviours

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

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…

Contact us enquiries@collaboratecic.com