Ellen joined Collaborate as Head of Practice in June 2019, bringing six years of experience working in local authorities on transformation, organisational development and service design.
Ellen leads work with local authorities and their place partners to deliver place-based change and build effective collaboration. This includes supporting preparations for LGR with communities leads in Greater Essex, chief executives in Hampshire, the Solent & Isle of Wight and building the case for effective neighbourhood governance with Test Valley. She worked closely with Wigan Council on our strategic review of The Deal and shaping their new ten year strategy focused on addressing inequalities and supporting thriving neighbourhoods.
Ellen is a key part of our leadership work and an experienced facilitator, co-designing and leading Leading Greater Essex, a year long systems leadership programme for a cross-sector cohort, and currently supporting the design and delivery of sheffield:rewired.
She is an experienced strategic learning partner, supporting teams such as the British Science Association’s Ideas Fund and Westminster City Council’s Community Hubs programme to ‘test and learn’ and influence wider systemic change based on their practice. She has also supported evaluation of systems change with East Sussex ABCD programme Making it Happen and Save the Children UK.
Ellen’s most recent publications for Collaborate CIC include:
- ‘Neighbourhood Governance in Practice: Lessons from Test Valley for Democratic Renewal’ an exploration of the ecosystem of relationships, partnerships, community assets and democratic forums that make up effective neighbourhood governance, and the 10 enabling conditions required to unleash it
- ‘Reimaginging research collaboration: how universities can help their local places thrive’ a provocation piece inspired by learning from a research collaboration between Durham University, Durham County Council and Durham Community Action
- Co-authoring two reports as part of the New Operating Models Handbook. ‘From The Margins to the Mainstream’ explores how to create the conditions for new operating models in local government to thrive; and ‘Reframing Risk’ considers how to adopt new mindsets around risk that enable innovation.
In their own words:
My experience as a public servant showed me the difference that dedicated individuals can make. However, I wondered what they could achieve if their efforts were amplified and enabled by the systems and connections around them. This drew me to Collaborate’s mission to tackle social issues through collaboration and systems change.
Whether in my role working with communities, local authorities and funders; as a trustee/director at my local community-run swimming pool; or playing with my folk-rock band; I am passionate about unlocking the unique magic of people and places to deliver positive experiences and outcomes that build community and help us to thrive. I love bringing creativity and energy to my work, and learning from the inspiring people and colleagues I am privileged to work with..
Ellen Care Projects
- Building the partnership between the council and the VCFS in Barnet
- Strengthening collaboration between Brent council and its VCS partners
- Strengthening the foundations for place-based working in Barnet
- Leading Greater Essex – Strengthening systems leadership capabilities across Essex
- Learning and evidence building with the Ideas Fund