The Power of Connection: Building the Relationships We Need to Thrive

From November to February, Changing Futures Northumbria will be hosting a series of free online learning events. These sessions focus on relational working in public services, supporting people experiencing multiple disadvantage. Together, we’ll explore what relational working looks like in practice, its impact on individuals, services and systems, and what needs to change to achieve better outcomes for everyone.

Why are we doing this?

Too many people in contact with public services are still struggling, despite the best efforts of dedicated staff and the wide range of specialisms involved. Through this series, we want to share the innovation and learning from the Changing Futures programme — locally, regionally, and nationally — and the difference it is making.

Our online workshops are designed to be interactive and engaging, providing open spaces for reflection, discussion, and contribution. Your perspectives will be fed into national conversations about the future of work with people facing multiple disadvantage.

What to expect

There are four workshops, each exploring a different element of successful relational working. You can book onto as many as you like, and links to your selected events will be sent directly by email.

Workshop 1: Lived Experience and Relational Working – lovely ideas, but how do you make sure they are for real and not for show?

12/11/2025 | 12:30–13:30

It’s widely recognised that involving people with lived experience can be transformative. But what do we mean by “lived experience”? Does it include those facing complex challenges now, colleagues with their own recovery journeys, and caseworkers with years of practice wisdom? And what exactly is “relational working” — something we all do naturally, or something distinct?

This workshop will bring together a variety of perspectives. It’s an opportunity to listen, reflect, and share openly.

Workshop 2: Good Work Starts with Good Staff – How Do We Create a Safe Learning Environment for Staff to Grow?

10/12/2025 | 12:30–13:30

Our people are our greatest strength. When staff feel safe, supported, and able to learn without fear of blame, they can do their best work. This workshop will explore:

• How to create safe learning environments that support reflection and growth.

• How to capture everyday learning and use it to shape practice.

Creating a safe learning culture isn’t just good for staff — it leads to better outcomes for the people we support.

Workshop 3: Beyond the Numbers – Learning, Sharing, Thriving

14/01/2026 | 12:30–13:30

What happens when we shift focus from performance targets to learning and growth? This session will explore how cultural and structural barriers prevent us from sharing learning openly, and how greater collaboration can help us thrive. Together we’ll reflect on:

• “What happens when we stop obsessing about performance and focus on learning?”

• “Why keep insights in silos — what’s stopping us from sharing what really matters?”

Workshop 4: Understanding Community Needs and Making the Most of Finite Resources

11/02/2026 | 12:30–13:30

This workshop explores how strategic needs assessments and joint commissioning can help us respond more effectively. Together we’ll consider:

• “Small signs often come before big problems. Are we spotting them early enough to act before crisis hits?”

• “More services don’t always mean better outcomes. How can we reorient our resources to work smarter, not harder — without increasing costs?”

These questions invite us to think differently about prevention, efficiency, and collaboration.

How to register

Click Get Tickets and select the workshops (1–4) you’d like to attend.

After registering you’ll receive this confirmation:

“Thank you for registering with Changing Futures online events. Links to your selected workshops will be sent directly to your email closer to the event.”