Each month we bring you the latest updates from across our work. If you'd like to be the first to receive the latest direct to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Here's what's new:
š Average overall reading time: approx 7 minutes
- š An exciting new chapter for Involve
- š„ Our new research on good engagement in health and social care systems (Read more here)
- š A new hub for Climate Engagement (Join the launch event)
- š§ Putting the public at the heart of Lough Neaghās future (Watch the video from our workshop here)
- š An upcoming opportunity to join the team
- š¤ Our evidence to the HCLG CommitteeĀ (Watch here)
- š¦ Unpacking the impacts of the UKās first Citizensā Assembly on Neighbourhood PolicingĀ (Watch here)
- šŖ” Camdenās Golden Thread of Engagement (Read the Blog Here)
- šŗļø Bringing lived experience to the heart of the roadmap to aĀ Minimum Income Guarantee for ScotlandĀ
- š¬ Addressing power imbalances to achieve meaningful engagement (Read the blog here)
- Our upcoming training!Ā (Sign upĀ here)
Ā
š An exciting new chapter for Involve
Ā Last month, we shared that Sarah Castell was stepping down as CEO. Weāre incredibly grateful for Sarahās dedicated leadership and all weāve achieved together during her tenure.Ā
We also announced that Steph Draper, Director of Innovation and Practice, and Carly Walker-Dawson, Director of Capacity Building and Standards, will serve as joint interim CEOs as we move into this next chapter. Both bring extensive experience and vision: Carly has played a key role in expanding our Capacity Building and Standards work and leading major programmes like the School for Everyday Democracy and Sciencewise, while Steph has led our Innovation and Practice team, delivering landmark citizensā assemblies and a range of deliberative processes across the UK.
Together, Carly and Steph are ambitious for Involveās future, focused on expanding our impact and nurturing our team. Read more about these changes here.
We were also pleased to announce that Kevin Steele has been appointed as the new Chair of our Board of Trustees, as Ed Coxās six-year term comes to an end. Kevin brings a wealth of leadership experience in social justice, climate action, and ethical investment. Read more about Kevinās appointment here.Ā
Weāre incredibly grateful for the leadership, dedication, and lasting impact Ed has made throughout his term. Ed has written a thoughtful farewell blog reflecting on his time as Chair and the progress Involve has made during his leadership. Read Edās reflections here.
This new chapter brings fresh energy and opportunities, and we look forward to continuing to work with partners and colleagues in the wider democracy sector as we continue to help build a more participatory society.
Ā
š„ Sharing what good engagement looks like for health and social care systems in England
Ā Yesterday we published findings from a landmark project with the Care Quality Commission exploring what good engagement looks like across Englandās health and social care systems. Our new report, System Focused Engagement, identifies eight core principles for effective engagementāproviding practical, actionable insights for local authorities and integrated care systems.
Ā Good engagement is essential for building trust, improving services, and ensuring peopleās voices shape decisions. We hope this research helps move good practice from isolated examples to system-wide impact.
š Read more about the project here
Ā
š Launching a new hub for climate engagement
Local authorities play a vital role in tackling climate change and supporting communities to adapt, and we know that meaningful public engagement is essential for fair and effective action. Thatās why weāve developed the Local Climate Engagement Resource Hub - a free online collection of practical guides, case studies, and tools to help councils and climate groups design and deliver high-quality public engagement.
Join us and UK100 for the online launch on 15 July at 12pm, and discover how the Hub can support your work.
š Sign up for the launch event here
Ā
š§ Putting the public at the heart of decisions about Lough Neaghās future
Ā In March of this year, we brought people together to explore the important question of how we make conversations about Lough Neagh more democratic. As we prepare to publish proposed next steps following our Who Speaks for the Lough event, we hope its insights will give further confidence to decision makers considering this approach.
There are many people with knowledge, skills, and passion for the future of the Lough who stand ready to support a transparent, inclusive, and effective process if this path is chosen. We look forward to sharing our thoughts imminently and to supporting efforts that put the public at the heart of decisions about Lough Neaghās future.
š Watch the video about the event here
Ā
š An upcoming opportunity to join the team!
Do you believe our democracy needs an upgrade? Are you passionate about giving people a greater say in the decisions that shape their lives? Weāre looking for an Engagement Lead to design and deliver high-impact participation projects across the UK - from citizensā assemblies to deliberative workshops.
Youāll collaborate with the public, decision makers, and partners to turn democratic change into reality. Strong project management, facilitation skills, and a commitment to inclusive engagement are essential.
Ā š· Salary: Up to Ā£47,291
š Location: UK-based, with regular travel
Weāll be sharing more details in the coming days. Keep an eye on our website and social media for more information.Ā
Ā
š¤ Giving evidence to the HCLG Committee
Last week, our interim co-CEO, Carly Walker-Dawson, gave evidence to the HCLG Committee on the governmentās plans for community cohesion following last summerās riots. We believe this is a rare opportunity to tackle the deep-rooted challenges behind the violence. However, lasting change will only happen if people and communities are central to both the design and delivery of any new approach.
Bringing people together in a structured, facilitated way is essential. When people have space to explore issues in depth, we can move beyond surface disagreements and uncover the needs, fears, and values that connect us. This is how we build the common ground and mutual trust needed for a truly cohesive society.Ā
Trust must also extend beyond communities to local institutions. Confidence in the fairness and integrity of public organisations is vital. The riots exposed widespread frustration and distrust in public institutions, making rebuilding this trust urgent.Ā
At Involve, we see every day that meaningful public participation leads to better decisions, stronger legitimacy, and greater trust. The national strategy offers a chance to do this at scale - but only if it is co-created with communities. Another top-down solution risks deepening the divisions we hope to heal.Ā
Ā
š¦ Unpacking the impacts of the UKās first Citizensā Assembly on Neighbourhood Policing
In June we held the second session of our Deliberation Unpacked series, this time exploring the impressive impacts of the Waltham Forest Citizensā Assembly on the Future of Neighbourhood Policing.Ā
We were joined by assembly members, Sarah and Suraiya, Daniel Gardiner and Alisa Musanovic from London Borough of Waltham Forest, as well as Involveās Daisy Thomson. Together, we explored how the project achieved its impressive impacts, including:
- Rapid action on key recommendations with two ābeaconā projects
- Residents stepping up as ongoing advocates for participation
- Strong support from the new police borough commander
- Council staff trained in facilitation, embedding participation
- Growing interest at the heart of government - opening doors for wider change
Watch the recording from the event here.
And look out for the next session, which will be announced in the coming weeks!Ā
Ā
šŖ” Camdenās Golden Thread of Engagement
Sustained public engagement has shaped Camdenās climate action since Involve delivered the UKās first Citizensā Assembly with them back in 2019.Ā
Resident-led recommendations became the foundations for Camdenās Climate Action Plan and since then the council have continued to embed public engagement at the heart of their climate programme - creating a āgolden threadā that connects residentsā voices to real policy and action. Building on this momentum, residents are now helping the council shape the next Climate Action Plan.Ā
In a new guest blog, Natalie Curd, Climate Programme Manager at Camden Council, highlights key lessons on inclusion, transparency, and the importance of quality facilitation. Camdenās experience shows why meaningful engagement is essential for effective, lasting climate action.
Ā
šŗļø Bringing lived experience to the heart of a roadmap to a Minimum Income Guarantee for ScotlandĀ
Last month, the Scottish Governmentās Minimum Income Guarantee Expert Group published their final report, outlining how a Minimum Income Guarantee could be delivered in Scotland.
A guarantee like this can only succeed if it reflects the lived experiences and aspirations of those facing financial insecurity. Thatās why weāre proud that recommendations from our Experts by Experience Panel have played a key role in shaping this vision. Meeting several times over a year, panel members received balanced information, and shared their own insights through small group deliberations. Together, they developed eight principles that the Expert Group say āworked to guide us as we reach our final conclusions on delivering a Minimum Income Guarantee in Scotlandā.
Weāre grateful for the panelās vital contributions - bringing Scotland closer to a future where dignity is not just an ambition, but a guarantee.
š Read more about our work and the panelās principles here.
Ā
š¬ Addressing power imbalances to achieve meaningful engagement
When doing community engagement, itās easy to say weāre all equals - but the reality is more complex. Power and privilege shape every interaction. Moving beyond tokenistic engagement requires us to recognise and address these dynamics.
Ā In a new blog for Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub, our interim co-CEO Carly Walker-Dawson explores what it takes to do meaningful community engagement - acknowledging power imbalances, building trust, valuing lived experience, and fostering equitable, inclusive participation.
Ā
š Upcoming training
Ā Our Involve trainers bring years of real world experience in participatory design, delivery and public engagement approaches. Whether youāre working with a small group or a large community, we provide hands-on, interactive and participative training that leads to lasting, positive change.Ā Ā
Empower your leaders and team with the skills to create inclusive, effective, and sustainable solutions.Ā Ā
Facilitating Public Engagement Training
- Thursday, July 10 Ā· 9:30am - 1pm Sign up here
- Thursday, November 13 Ā· 9:30am - 1pm Sign up here
Public Engagement Training
- Thursday, November 6 Ā· 9:30am - 1pm Sign up here
š Read more about our training offer here
Ā
š That's all for now!
That's all for now! Remember to sign up to our newsletter if you'd like to receive the latest news from us direct to your inbox.