As part of our work to build shared intelligence about independent living and excluded young people, we have commissioned some independent research into opportunities for innovaiton in the two fields. The research is being done by Margaret Bolton and Jean Barclay, who we are delighted to be working with. I want the research [...]

It seems Vicky Pollard and Peaches Geldof are both on the government’s mind. The thing is; their needs are very different. I went last week to the launch at NESTA of a new report, produced by the Young Foundation, about local innovation. The Report was launched by Andy Burnham, perhaps his last [...]

James Caan, entrepreneur and ‘dragon’ on BBC 2’s Dragons’ Den, is backing a new competition for health groups supporting their local community.
The Dragons’ Den style scheme, PITCH YOUR PROJECT, is looking for organisations that benefit the health, wellbeing and fitness of their community with the support of volunteers.
Whether it’s running a sports club, befriending scheme, [...]

Leaders Together is a new mentoring scheme matching senior professionals in the voluntary sector with leaders of Refugee Community Organisations.
The TimeBank project aims to increase the capacity of grassroots Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) by tapping into the different knowledge and skills of mainstream voluntary sector organisations.
Leaders from London based RCOs are matched in one to [...]

Yesterday I went to the Demos conference. There was a buzz in the room – a sense of excitement in the large forum – preparation for discussion on the new concept of personalisation in public services.  The intelligence flowed from the panel of speakers and the audience. And by early morning my head was spinning [...]