ThinkPlace UK

🎉 Reflecting on a Year of Impact and Innovation 🎉 As 2024 comes to a close, the ThinkPlace UK team reflects on the challenges we’ve tackled, the partnerships we’ve forged, and the meaningful impact we’ve created together. 🌍✨ This year has been one of immense growth and collaboration, driven by our commitment to designing with—not for—the communities we serve. Our 2024 highlights include: 🌟 Co-creating inclusive solutions: Empowering over 100 SMEs across Africa and the Middle East through innovative, design-led approaches, advancing youth employment and social impact with initiatives like the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE). 🌟 Strengthening partnerships: Building trust and alignment for long-term success, including supporting Cambridge Cleantech in brokering and strengthening connections among ClimateTech ecosystem actors in the UK and Europe’s 'SuperCluster' to advance collaborative innovation. 🌟 Driving insights into action: Partnering with Wellcome Trust to inform global infectious disease strategies by capturing grassroots insights, ensuring vulnerable communities are central to health solutions. 🌟 Expanding our reach: Connecting people and ideas globally to address critical challenges. Highlights include collaborating with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change to explore low-orbit satellites for digital connectivity in disaster-affected areas. At the heart of all these achievements is the power of collaboration. None of this would have been possible without our incredible clients, partners, and the communities we’ve worked alongside. 🏞️ The Road Ahead: Shaping 2025 In 2025, we’ll build on these lessons, focusing on diversifying funding, deepening expertise in areas like climate engagement, and leveraging our strengths in systems thinking and social behaviour change. We’ll continue fostering partnerships with universities, private sector actors, and local organisations to amplify impact and align with global priorities, creating scalable, sustainable solutions for the challenges ahead. To everyone who has been part of our journey—thank you for your dedication, creativity, and vision. Here’s to an even greater impact in 2025! 💡🌟 #SocialImpact #DesignForImpact #ThinkPlace #InclusiveInnovation #YearInReview #2025Goals

🎉 Reflecting on a Year of Impact and Innovation 🎉 As 2024 comes to a close, the ThinkPlace UK team reflects on the challenges we’ve tackled, the partnerships we’ve forged, and the meaningful impact we’ve created together. 🌍✨ This year has been one of immense growth and collaboration, driven by our commitment to designing with—not for—the communities we serve. Our 2024 highlights include: 🌟 Co-creating inclusive solutions: Empowering over 100 SMEs across Africa and the Middle East through innovative, design-led approaches, advancing youth employment and social impact with initiatives like the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE). 🌟 Strengthening partnerships: Building trust and alignment for long-term success, including supporting Cambridge Cleantech in brokering and strengthening connections among ClimateTech ecosystem actors in the UK and Europe’s 'SuperCluster' to advance collaborative innovation. 🌟 Driving insights into action: Partnering with Wellcome Trust to inform global infectious disease strategies by capturing grassroots insights, ensuring vulnerable communities are central to health solutions. 🌟 Expanding our reach: Connecting people and ideas globally to address critical challenges. Highlights include collaborating with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change to explore low-orbit satellites for digital connectivity in disaster-affected areas. At the heart of all these achievements is the power of collaboration. None of this would have been possible without our incredible clients, partners, and the communities we’ve worked alongside. 🏞️ The Road Ahead: Shaping 2025 In 2025, we’ll build on these lessons, focusing on diversifying funding, deepening expertise in areas like climate engagement, and leveraging our strengths in systems thinking and social behaviour change. We’ll continue fostering partnerships with universities, private sector actors, and local organisations to amplify impact and align with global priorities, creating scalable, sustainable solutions for the challenges ahead. To everyone who has been part of our journey—thank you for your dedication, creativity, and vision. Here’s to an even greater impact in 2025! 💡🌟 #SocialImpact #DesignForImpact #ThinkPlace #InclusiveInnovation #YearInReview #2025Goals

🌍 Excited to have attended the Global Health Network’s launch of the World Health Organization’s new Guidance for Best Practices for Clinical Trials webinar on 13 December 2024. The session was an insightful deep dive into how we can transform clinical research to address public health priorities more equitably and efficiently. Key takeaways included: ✅ The importance of designing scientifically robust, ethical, and inclusive trials that prioritise underrepresented populations. 🔄 Opportunities to streamline trial processes while maintaining high-quality standards. 🤝 Practical recommendations for fostering greater collaboration, transparency, and innovation across the global clinical trials ecosystem. At ThinkPlace, we’re 🌟 committed to advancing these principles through inclusive, collaborative, and evidence-based design to address global challenges. The WHO Guidance is a powerful tool to guide these efforts. Access it here https://lnkd.in/gjtMXmXt to explore how these practices can advance global health. Let’s connect if these themes resonate with you—we would love to hear your thoughts! #ThinkPlace #ClinicalResearch #GlobalHealth #EvidenceBasedPractice #WHO #InclusiveDesign #Collaboration

📢 The Role of Ethicists in Navigating AI Governance "Effective communication is at the heart of an ethicist’s role—especially when it comes to AI governance," says Darren Menachemson GAICD, ThinkPlace Partner and Chief Ethicist. In a recent Computerworld article, Darren explores why organisations need AI ethicists and the critical role they play in helping teams understand AI's limitations, responsible use, and its nuanced application within specific contexts. As organisations embrace AI technologies, the role of ethicists becomes even more crucial—not just to mitigate risks but to ensure AI is implemented responsibly and transparently. 🔗 Check out the full article to gain deeper insights into how ethics can shape responsible AI adoption: https://lnkd.in/gMAuGgms #AI #Ethics #AIethics #Governance #ResponsibleAI #ThinkPlace

Thrilled to see the Wellcome Trust reflection discussion highlight the work we’ve been a part of at ThinkPlace UK! Collaborating on projects that elevate community voices in decision-making—whether through initiatives like our Community of Practice or ecosystem-level efforts such as the Centres for Exchange has been incredibly inspiring. These experiences underscore the power of equitable knowledge sharing and the importance of valuing diverse perspectives. Excited to continue driving innovation and impact through inclusivity! 🌟 #CommunityEngagement #Innovation #EquityInResearch

🚀 Last week, ThinkPlace had the pleasure of attending Studio Zao's Innovation Forum featuring Amber Luscombe from Oxygen Asset Management, Christopher Donkin from London Sport, and Lal Bahadur from Places for London. The session brought together these brilliant minds across real estate, urban planning, and physical activity sectors to discuss how data-backed innovation can unlock new value in regeneration and asset management. Key takeaways from the discussion: 🌱 Empowering Local Communities - community-led regeneration is crucial for sustainable and meaningful outcomes. Exploring successful examples and strategies to overcome challenges like funding and capacity-building will be a key focus for future conversations. 📊 Measuring Social Value - there’s a growing need for consistent methodologies to evaluate social value across projects. There is a clear gap in measurement frameworks and metrics capturing this data. 🤝 Public-Private Partnerships - effective collaboration is essential for successful urban regeneration. Models like blended finance approaches could drive more equitable funding and resource allocation for community-focused projects. We're excited about the energy and insights shared and look forward to diving deeper into these themes in upcoming forums. What are your thoughts on these challenges and opportunities? Share your ideas below! 💡 #Innovation #UrbanRegeneration #SocialImpact #Collaboration #ThinkPlace #StudioZao

🌟 Strengthening Communities Through Engagement 🌟 Last week, ThinkPlace UK team volunteered at the NORWOOD & BRIXTON FOODBANK LTD, supporting their vital work in fighting food insecurity. 📊 In the past six months, Lambeth food banks, including Norwood & Brixton, have distributed 11,512 emergency food parcels—a stark reminder of the importance of collective action. During our visit, we assisted in organising supplies, packing essential food parcels, and connecting with the passionate team at the food bank. These moments reminded us of the importance of grassroots efforts and how meaningful engagement can drive lasting impact. Every year, ThinkPlace UK dedicates time to community engagement through initiatives like this. It’s our way of reinforcing our commitment to collaboration, empathy, and contributing to stronger, more resilient communities. A huge thank you to the Norwood & Brixton Foodbank team for their unwavering dedication and for allowing us to be part of this important work. Together, we can amplify the impact and ensure no one is left behind. Here’s to continuing our shared mission of making a difference, one community at a time! 💛 #ThinkPlace #CommunityEngagement #FoodBank #Volunteering #Norwood #Brixton Trussell

 ThinkPlace Global is excited to have our USA studio team members, Jacqueline Oliveira and Isabel Sandoval Ayala, attending COP29 in Azerbaijan from November 15th - 22nd! As part of our commitment to driving sustainable change, Jacque and Isabel will represent ThinkPlace at this critical event, where they’ll engage with leaders and innovators in climate action. If you’ll be at COP29 or know someone attending, let’s connect to discuss meaningful ways to create a sustainable and inclusive future. #COP29 #ThinkPlaceGlobal #ClimateAction #SustainableFuture #CollectiveImpact #Networking

🌍 Exciting Collaboration Announcement! 🌍 ThinkPlace is thrilled to be working alongside the Wellcome Trust on a groundbreaking initiative to reshape how we tackle infectious diseases. Together, we are building an online Community of Practice (CoP) that brings together civil society organisations (CSOs) from India, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, and surrounding regions to shape Wellcome's infectious disease policy and research strategies. 🤝🌱 Our mission? To foster a collaborative, community-led environment that amplifies the voices of those most affected by infectious diseases. This project is about more than just data—it’s about creating a platform where community insights drive policy and solutions, helping us take a more collaborative, community-driven approach to global health challenges. 🌍 From our discussions so far, we’ve uncovered some key insights and recommendations: 💪 Trust flourishes when communities are engaged at every stage of the process —design, implementation, and beyond. 🧠 Addressing health infrastructure and public perceptions is essential for fostering treatment-seeking behaviour. 🎤 Involving community voices from the start ensures that solutions are relevant, trusted, and impactful. 👥 Prioritising the most vulnerable groups helps to reduce health inequities and ensures interventions reach those who need them most. We’re excited to be part of a project that strengthens community engagement, builds meaningful partnerships, and prioritises vulnerable communities in Wellcome’s mission to combat infectious diseases. 🌟 Interested in learning more or discussing insights around community engagement and global health? Reach out to us at hellouk@thinkplace.org.uk #GlobalHealth #CommunityOfPractice #ThinkPlace #Wellcometrust #InfectiousDisease #CommunityEngagement #HealthEquity

🤔 How might we shift hearts and minds to create Decent Work opportunities for young women in the Middle East and Africa? Yesterday, we had a great session in Creative Valley exploring how #SocialBehaviourChange can strengthen Challenge Fund for Youth Employment interventions to attract, select, and retain young talent, specifically young #women. Colleagues from Palladium: Make It Possible, Randstad and VSO Nederland were invited to: 🧠 explore three SBC strategies 🧩 apply them to design challenges faced by CFYE implementing partners 🎭 pitch their solution back to the group in a creative and visual way … and there were prizes #gamification 📨 We're curious - where have you seen behaviour change techniques applied in the workplace to facilitate positive change?