Moving upstream to tackle root causes
Geoff Knott
Social action is not addressing root causes i.e. we are ministering downstream after people have hit problems, rather than trying to eliminate the causes of the problems in the first place. We need to go upstream.
more...
Did Sure Start work?
From an article by Beautiful Enterprise
Initially in deprived areas, provided services for families with children to help navigate pregnancy, parenting, childcare, early learning, finding jobs. Long-term results; higher educational achievements, better health, and more..
more...
Bringing back the power of community
From a blog at the British Medical Journal and oth
William Beveridge, whose 1942 report led to the welfare state, recognised he'd made a mistake in omitting a greater role for families, communities, volunteers, civil society. “It did frankly send a chill to my heart.”
more...
An innovation process for a town/city
From an article by Apolitical
Towns/cities today must respond effectively to the needs of increased urbanisation. To do this, they need to learn, embrace an innovation process in their practices that involves local people and others. An example..
more...
5 tips for citizen engagement for the public sector
From an article by Better Government
A public servant needs to master the art of engaging citizens effectively. To do the right things, they must listen, engage, and co-create solutions with those they are here to serve – the citizens.
more...
In-Person and Online - The Best Start in Life strategy explained - London
@58 Victoria Embankment, London
Nesta will be joined by Olivia Bailey MP, Minister for Early Education, to hear about the UK government's priorities for integrated early years support and family services.
The Best Start in Life strategy has set out the UK government's target to increase the number of children reaching a good level of development to 75% by 2028. Achieving this target will require improving services and support for families from pregnancy through the first five years of children's lives.
Minister Bailey will be joining Ravi Gurumurthy, Chief Executive at Nesta, to discuss the ambition for Best Start in Life and how we can make sure that every baby and young child has the opportunity to develop and thrive.
10/02/2026
17:45
In-Person - Communicating Faith in Public - 4 modules - London
@St Paul's Hammersmith, Queen Caroline St, London
A course with 4x1 day modules over 6 months that’ll train you to write and speak compellingly about Christianity in the public square.
Do you sense a calling to communicate your Christian faith in public media? Do you want to develop your skills as a writer, thinker, and communicator? Do you want opportunities to publish or speak as a Christian in national media outlets? If so, the Communicating Faith in Public programme is for you!
The course’s expert trainers will help you think about the nature of our culture(s) today, and how the Christian faith speaks into it. They’ll help you grow the knowledge, skills, and character you need to write, present, and navigate media platforms and publishing. And they’ll teach you ways to foster valuable connections and expand your networks.
09/03/2026
09:30
In-Person - Behavioural Science and Public Health Network Conference 2026 - Behavioural Science and Complexity
@The Venue at De Montfort University, Leicester
Explore how behavioural science addresses complex issues across the public sector. The conference will feature inspiring keynotes on diverse topics, including:
-
Systems Approaches and Systems Reform – Professor Cecile Knai
-
The Arts, Behavioural Science and Public Health – Professor Daisy Fancourt
-
Evidence and Policy in Public Health – Dame Professor Theresa Marteau
-
Social Cohesion and Effective Communication – Professor Paul Dolan
Practical workshops will cover meaningful co-production, writing and personal reflection in public health practice, and evaluating behavioural science units. It’s currently a complex and challenging environment in public health.
10/03/2026
09:30