On Wednesday 10th September, we marked a special day in Derby. The Local Area Coordination Network came together to celebrate 15 years of Local Area Coordination in England. We had more than 80 people gathered in the room and many more joined online.

The day began with a reminder of where it all started with Eddie Bartnik (one of the original founders of Local Area Coordination) live from Australia, and Ralph Broad (who brought the approach to the UK) in the room reflecting on the roots of LAC, its global reach,  enduring features, and the new innovations that continue to shape the work today – not least the incredible work going on in Nova Scotia and also Old Scotia (Scotland).

The programme was packed with energy and inspiration. Attendees heard from Principal Neighbourhood Manager Sarah Edmundson with her brilliant update on their locality model and ripple effects, and Local Area Coordinator Dave Oliffe who brought home the ideas and developments surrounding Safe Waiting. We were delighted to have Sarah McClinton, Chief Social Worker for Adults, join on the day to share insights on the 10 Year Plan and what that means for the future. Professor Peter Beresford spoke with real power about lived experience, inclusion, and co-design, while Rachel Bangera De Souza and Theresa Lisk reflected on how ‘Designing in Diversity’ has been shaping the Network over the past two years.

Feedback from those attending showed just how much the event meant to those who came along. People valued the chance to connect with colleagues across the Local Area Coordination Network, share practice, and feel supported. Many described the guest speakers as informative, relevant, and thought-provoking. There were also plenty of constructive ideas for the future.

Perhaps most importantly, it seemed that people left with tangible ideas to put into practice. People told us that Safe Waiting techniques will be taken back into team meetings, supervision, and reflective practice. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) conversations will become part of daily practice in teams and communities, and many planned to share what they had learned with colleagues and local people, making sure the insights ripple outward.

Fifteen years is a huge milestone, but the reflections shared in Derby show it’s also a stepping stone. We have so much more potential to do more! The energy, generosity, and ideas that people brought to the gathering will help shape what comes next. Together, the Network will continue to celebrate, connect, and grow. I suspect the next chapter of Local Area Coordination will be even more inspiring! I’d like to finish by saying a massive thank you to Tom and Lily for all you did to make that day together run so well.

Nick Sinclair,
Local Area Coordination Network Director