Ase recently organized an insightful visit to 10 Downing Street for a London University. The tour was attended by a group of postgraduate public policy leaders, all dedicated to driving social change around the world. We created a unique opportunity for them to explore the history and realities of running a critical institution like No. 10, sparking deep discussions on the pressures and responsibilities of leadership.
Attendees walked through the storied halls where pivotal decisions shaping our world have been made, reflecting on the weight of public service and the importance of motivating and inspiring teams. ”Walking through the same rooms where world leaders have been hosted and decisions that shaped our history were made, was surreal. A huge thank you to Heather Abbey for arranging this. It's a day etched in memory, a blend of awe and inspiration.” - Postgraduate Student and Policy Analyst
Our training workshop for the Q-Seed programme brought together Black and Global Majority leaders and social entrepreneurs in the criminal justice sector to explore the realities of policy influencing. Q-Seed is a transformative leadership development initiative, aiming to empower leaders with the tools and skills needed to drive systemic change.
The session focused on navigating the complexities of political landscapes, understanding the pressures faced by civil servants, and identifying effective channels to influence policy. The workshop was a powerful space for participants to reflect on how policies shape their work and experiences, fostering resilience, passion, and a shared purpose to reform the sector. It was an inspiring experience to support these leaders in their journey to challenge the status quo and enhance their impact.
Our recent training workshop at the London School of Economics brought together students from marginalized backgrounds across London to explore their potential roles in driving social change. The workshop aimed to introduce participants to the world of policy-making, the key stakeholders involved, and how evidence informs decisions, while also demystifying the university environment to ease their transition to higher education.
Through interactive sessions led by diverse faculty members, students engaged deeply, discussing their perspectives and learning about the importance of soft skills in effecting change” It was such an incredible opportunity for the students, and it was made a really enjoyable day by all your thinking about what would most benefit the students.” School’s Head of Careers and University Service
In a recent consulting project with the Barrow Cadbury Trust, we supported a campaign to enhance understanding and support for young adults (YA) in the criminal justice system. Working alongside small charities such as the Alliance for Youth Justice, Prison Reform Trust, and Switchback, the project aimed to influence policy at both local and national levels. Key achievements included arranging lived experience roundtables to inform reforms on Unpaid Work, developing training series for informing the new Welsh Young Adult Strategy, the advocating for the inclusion of YA vulnerabilities in Modern Slavery guidance, and securing funding for an ambitious best practice pilot, the New ham Transitions Hub.
Additionally, we were appointed to the Advisory Panel on Probation Learning, where the evidence on progressive justice policy now contributes to shaping the mandatory training for probation officers. These efforts have successfully raised the profile of young adults within the criminal justice agenda, ensuring that their unique needs are considered and addressed in policy and practice.
The Morale Project is a multimedia initiative aimed at shedding light on the pressing issues of morale and well-being within the public and social sectors. As these sectors face immense pressures—ranging from resource scarcity to increased public scrutiny—staff burnout and dissatisfaction have become widespread, weakening their ability to serve communities effectively. The project brings together insights from public servants, leaders, academics, and lived experience experts to explore how motivation, well-being, and leadership can be better understood and improved.
The project’s first video series, On Motivation, highlights what drives public servants around the world to stay committed to their work, despite the challenges. Future instalments will dive deeper into the realities of navigating high-pressure environments and the emotional toll that comes with serving the public. The Morale Project aims to inspire meaningful conversations and reforms, offering practical insights and solutions for improving morale across the sector. Find all instalments of the Morale Project on our LinkedIn page.
