This piece was written by Dr Jody Aked, an associate of Ideas Alliance, drawing on her work alongside communities and local government across the UK. She reflects on the often unspoken cultural divides between community and local government that shape how collaboration does and does not happen.
We asked a few of the people we’ve been working alongside this year to share their joyful moments from 2025. Not necessarily their major achievements, just some of the positive bits that stayed with them. Reading their stories has reminded us how much good rises out of simple conversations, shared tables, lively workshops and teams who look out for each other.
Everyone wants to involve people more deeply in shaping decisions that affect them. It’s now widely recognised as the right thing to do. But for many councils and organisations, participation still feels unmanageable. That’s why we created Participation Labs – a practical way for organisations to build the skill and confidence to make participation a normal and embedded part of how they work.
How can councils really hear from their residents – not just the loudest voices, but everyone? With Thriving Together, we mixed online and offline ways of listening to help build stronger connections with local people and find out what matters most to them.
Ideas Alliance are delighted to be working with Dartington Service Design Lab and Collaborate CIC on a new collaboration to help every child get the best start in life
Ideas Alliance are thrilled to be joining with The Parent-Infant Foundation as the co-production delivery partner on their new National Lottery funded initiative!
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.
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.
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.
