What we do
Place-based working can help unlock communities’ ideas, assets and power, and drive change to improve people’s quality of life.
We work alongside local communities and people with lived experience to understand their views and experiences, and build on their strengths, skills and resources.
Our work helps organisations and communities gain a clearer understanding of people’s strengths and needs, forge stronger local connections and foster a culture of collaboration.



How we do it
Our team uses strengths-based approaches, including community research, participatory budgeting and 100-day challenges.
We base our work on appreciative inquiry. This is a way of asking questions and thinking about the future that fosters positive relationships and builds on the basic goodness in a person, a situation or an organisation. It acknowledges the contribution of all individuals and increases trust and collaboration.
Our approach is tailored to each community’s needs. This could mean meeting people in cafes, libraries, parks and community spaces, and training local people in active listening to hear stories from across the community.
We use a mix of informal conversations, focus groups, interactive workshops and structured events, working alongside people to make sense of their own findings and co-design solutions.
For an informal chat about working with us, get in touch.
Related Projects
Improving the wellbeing of families of children and young people with autism in Bromley
Helping staff, carers and parents to work together through a 100 day challenge.
Community breastfeeding research in Calderdale
Helping Calderdale Council give parents and babies better breastfeeding support by understanding people’s real life experiences.
Raising awareness of women's homelessness in West Sussex
Using participatory photography and storytelling to raise the profile of the challenges faced by women experiencing homelessness.
Latest News

Alliance Contracting in Health and Social Care: A Practical Guide to Commissioning for Collaboration
Our founder Director Linda Hutchinson has recently published a book on her work developing collaborative commissioning. A practical guide packed full of detailed examples from across the UK, useful tips and advice. Find out where to order the book and join our meet the author event.

Using alliance contracting to put co-production at the heart of transforming substance use services in South Wales
We have been working alongside some pioneering commissioners and partners in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot as they transform the substance use services in their area. Here are our highlights from the co-design process.

Celebrating 7 Years: milestone moments and looking forward
2024 marks 7 years of Ideas Alliance. Over that time we’ve grown from a small story sharing platform to a social consultancy on a mission to make co-production and collaboration the norm across the country. Co-founder Helen Sharp starts our celebrations by looking back at how it all started and what’s coming next.