Becca Dove
@beccadove2.bsky.social
Doing relational things for Children & Learning, LB Camden. Social work doctoral student @ Northampton Uni studying kids social support and social infrastructure. Alumni @UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre. Views my own, said with love
Pinned
Becca Dove
@beccadove2.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Looks like the social work crew are starting to arrive on here, so I've had a first go at making a starter pack. Let me know if you want adding on, plenty of room for everyone! go.bsky.app/56PBom2
Reposted by Becca Dove
New post just out:
"Power to the People"
Today we have a guest post from @jamestplunkett.bsky.social on how Labour can counter the "Britain is Broken" narrative by investing in civic life and giving people more control over their community.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/p...
"Power to the People"
Today we have a guest post from @jamestplunkett.bsky.social on how Labour can counter the "Britain is Broken" narrative by investing in civic life and giving people more control over their community.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/p...
Power to the People
How Labour can restore civic life and counter the "Britain is broken" narrative
open.substack.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:54 AM
New post just out:
"Power to the People"
Today we have a guest post from @jamestplunkett.bsky.social on how Labour can counter the "Britain is Broken" narrative by investing in civic life and giving people more control over their community.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/p...
"Power to the People"
Today we have a guest post from @jamestplunkett.bsky.social on how Labour can counter the "Britain is Broken" narrative by investing in civic life and giving people more control over their community.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/p...
Don't think the #REDJanuary crew are here but day 2 run in the woods was an absolute corker. Have it as a timeline cleanse if nothing else.
January 4, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Don't think the #REDJanuary crew are here but day 2 run in the woods was an absolute corker. Have it as a timeline cleanse if nothing else.
Another cracking year for the utter carnage that is #DuvetKnowItsChristmas. The fundraiser for Centrepoint is well worth it so if you've got a few quid to chuck in, link is in @rhodri.biz's post 👇🏻. Rhodri, as ever you are a true gent🎄
Unbelievably, #DuvetKnowItsChristmas generates such good will on social media that over the years we've raised somewhere approaching a quarter of a million quid for homeless charities. If you can spare a bob or two, sling some to Centrepoint, and here's the link: www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...
Donate to Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2025, organized by Rhodri Marsden
Unbelievably, it's the 15th year of this thing.
What is it?
Improbably, the nig… Rhodri Marsden needs your support for Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2025
www.gofundme.com
December 25, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Another cracking year for the utter carnage that is #DuvetKnowItsChristmas. The fundraiser for Centrepoint is well worth it so if you've got a few quid to chuck in, link is in @rhodri.biz's post 👇🏻. Rhodri, as ever you are a true gent🎄
Reposted by Becca Dove
Last month @nick80.bsky.social posted on LinkedIn seeking an accessible history of relational public services. I'm pleased to say myself, @beccadove2.bsky.social and @antlerboy.com have tried to rise to the challenge. We know it's incomplete but we hope it's useful. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
A Hundred Origin Stories – an Unfinished History of Relational Public Services
Simon Parker, Becca Dove and Benjamin Taylor explore the history of relational public services, ahead of Britian Renewed 2026, a major one-day conference exploring a more place-based approach to public service reform.
www.ucl.ac.uk
December 1, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Last month @nick80.bsky.social posted on LinkedIn seeking an accessible history of relational public services. I'm pleased to say myself, @beccadove2.bsky.social and @antlerboy.com have tried to rise to the challenge. We know it's incomplete but we hope it's useful. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
Fancy reading an unashamedly unfinished history of relational public services? @nick80.bsky.social asked his Linkedin network if such a thing existed. @simonparker.bsky.social, @antlerboy.com and I had a go, drawing on 200 comments on Nicks post. Its a fascinating story
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
A Hundred Origin Stories – an Unfinished History of Relational Public Services
Simon Parker, Becca Dove and Benjamin Taylor explore the history of relational public services, ahead of Britian Renewed 2026, a major one-day conference exploring a more place-based approach to public service reform.
www.ucl.ac.uk
December 1, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Fancy reading an unashamedly unfinished history of relational public services? @nick80.bsky.social asked his Linkedin network if such a thing existed. @simonparker.bsky.social, @antlerboy.com and I had a go, drawing on 200 comments on Nicks post. Its a fascinating story
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
As ever, this is sobering but nonetheless required reading on where public services find themselves in 2025 (and beyond) and why. Top notch work from the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk team.
NEW: @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have published pt1 of Public Services Performance Tracker 2025 covering local government finances and overall performance, adult social care, children's social care and homelessness
Incredible work by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social & @amberdellar.bsky.social
Incredible work by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social & @amberdellar.bsky.social
Public Services Performance Tracker 2025 | Institute for Government
Labour’s public service plans are less than the sum of their parts.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 16, 2025 at 7:25 AM
As ever, this is sobering but nonetheless required reading on where public services find themselves in 2025 (and beyond) and why. Top notch work from the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk team.
Reposted by Becca Dove
Sure Start is coming back.
The Labour government is to open 1000 Best Start Family Hubs covering every local authority. The first will be in place by April 2026 & all by 2028.
They will combine existing Family Hubs & the Start for Life programme & also cover areas without these services.
1/2
The Labour government is to open 1000 Best Start Family Hubs covering every local authority. The first will be in place by April 2026 & all by 2028.
They will combine existing Family Hubs & the Start for Life programme & also cover areas without these services.
1/2
Government revives family services, supporting 500,000 more kids
Up to 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs to be rolled out across the country to provide wide-ranging help for families, such as parenting and early development.
www.gov.uk
July 6, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Sure Start is coming back.
The Labour government is to open 1000 Best Start Family Hubs covering every local authority. The first will be in place by April 2026 & all by 2028.
They will combine existing Family Hubs & the Start for Life programme & also cover areas without these services.
1/2
The Labour government is to open 1000 Best Start Family Hubs covering every local authority. The first will be in place by April 2026 & all by 2028.
They will combine existing Family Hubs & the Start for Life programme & also cover areas without these services.
1/2
When young people design relational practice training in their own words, on their own terms.
And a short thread of why community-led participatory design matters a great deal🧵
And a short thread of why community-led participatory design matters a great deal🧵
July 1, 2025 at 11:15 PM
When young people design relational practice training in their own words, on their own terms.
And a short thread of why community-led participatory design matters a great deal🧵
And a short thread of why community-led participatory design matters a great deal🧵
I know the world is a bit of a bin fire and everything but for the love of all that is good and pure can someone please tell me how to turn off Copilot in Word.
June 29, 2025 at 8:33 PM
I know the world is a bit of a bin fire and everything but for the love of all that is good and pure can someone please tell me how to turn off Copilot in Word.
Reposted by Becca Dove
Study on London 20 mph limits shows:
- collisions ⬇️ 35%
- casualties ⬇️ 36%
- fatal/serious injuries ⬇️ 34%
- child casualties ⬇️ 46%
- child deaths ⬇️ 75%
- walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists killed/seriously injured ⬇️ 28%
etsc.eu/20mph-limits...
- collisions ⬇️ 35%
- casualties ⬇️ 36%
- fatal/serious injuries ⬇️ 34%
- child casualties ⬇️ 46%
- child deaths ⬇️ 75%
- walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists killed/seriously injured ⬇️ 28%
etsc.eu/20mph-limits...
20mph limits in London linked to sharp fall in road injuries and deaths, new report finds
A new study published by Transport for London (TfL) has shown that the introduction of 20mph speed limits and zones on local authority-managed roads in London between 1989 and 2013 led to significant…
etsc.eu
June 3, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Study on London 20 mph limits shows:
- collisions ⬇️ 35%
- casualties ⬇️ 36%
- fatal/serious injuries ⬇️ 34%
- child casualties ⬇️ 46%
- child deaths ⬇️ 75%
- walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists killed/seriously injured ⬇️ 28%
etsc.eu/20mph-limits...
- collisions ⬇️ 35%
- casualties ⬇️ 36%
- fatal/serious injuries ⬇️ 34%
- child casualties ⬇️ 46%
- child deaths ⬇️ 75%
- walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists killed/seriously injured ⬇️ 28%
etsc.eu/20mph-limits...
Reposted by Becca Dove
"I don't want to rise 'above' my community. I want to rise *with* it."
This sentiment is often expressed to me by young people. They want individual success *and* to see improved conditions for all in their communities.
This is a theme I explore in this blog:
mabdallah.substack.com/p/mattering-...
This sentiment is often expressed to me by young people. They want individual success *and* to see improved conditions for all in their communities.
This is a theme I explore in this blog:
mabdallah.substack.com/p/mattering-...
Mattering is not just inside people’s heads: Mattering, inequality, schools and solidarity
Luke Billingham is a youth worker for Hackney Quest and a Research Associate for the Open University.
mabdallah.substack.com
June 7, 2025 at 9:31 AM
"I don't want to rise 'above' my community. I want to rise *with* it."
This sentiment is often expressed to me by young people. They want individual success *and* to see improved conditions for all in their communities.
This is a theme I explore in this blog:
mabdallah.substack.com/p/mattering-...
This sentiment is often expressed to me by young people. They want individual success *and* to see improved conditions for all in their communities.
This is a theme I explore in this blog:
mabdallah.substack.com/p/mattering-...
Reposted by Becca Dove
This year London is the place to see a stellar line up of women’s sport.
Top athletes from across the world are competing in the capital and inspiring the next generation across the city and the globe.
Top athletes from across the world are competing in the capital and inspiring the next generation across the city and the globe.
May 31, 2025 at 8:24 AM
This year London is the place to see a stellar line up of women’s sport.
Top athletes from across the world are competing in the capital and inspiring the next generation across the city and the globe.
Top athletes from across the world are competing in the capital and inspiring the next generation across the city and the globe.
Enjoying this by Mark Furlong. Packed with practice ideas for folk working in public services to intensify their efforts to strengthen formal and informal social connections of the people they support (with good reason, not just 'coz').
May 28, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Enjoying this by Mark Furlong. Packed with practice ideas for folk working in public services to intensify their efforts to strengthen formal and informal social connections of the people they support (with good reason, not just 'coz').
This from @pollymackenzie.bsky.social is so worth a read. "The future of the State is not just a technical project. It’s an emotional one. A politics that wants to build relational, preventative, participatory services must start by creating the emotional climate" www.linkedin.com/pulse/mobili...
Mobilising the people to remake the state
A short essay to mark the relaunch of the think tank Reform as "Re:State". Read the full collection by following the link at the end.
www.linkedin.com
May 27, 2025 at 7:29 PM
This from @pollymackenzie.bsky.social is so worth a read. "The future of the State is not just a technical project. It’s an emotional one. A politics that wants to build relational, preventative, participatory services must start by creating the emotional climate" www.linkedin.com/pulse/mobili...
Reposted by Becca Dove
More of this please.
Co-designing play spaces with children and young people near their homes led to “what researchers say is the highest increase in children’s physical activity ever recorded by an intervention of its kind”
Co-designing play spaces with children and young people near their homes led to “what researchers say is the highest increase in children’s physical activity ever recorded by an intervention of its kind”
Bradford project produces ‘outstanding’ rise in children’s physical activity
JU:MP programme included co-design of play spaces, exercise in faith settings and interventions in schools
www.theguardian.com
May 23, 2025 at 6:42 AM
More of this please.
Co-designing play spaces with children and young people near their homes led to “what researchers say is the highest increase in children’s physical activity ever recorded by an intervention of its kind”
Co-designing play spaces with children and young people near their homes led to “what researchers say is the highest increase in children’s physical activity ever recorded by an intervention of its kind”
Reposted by Becca Dove
Some thoughts sparked by a great event in Leeds yesterday on neighbourhood health and the UK government's Test, Learn and Grow intiative. How do we make neighbourhoods engines of change?
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
Neighbourhoods as engines of change
On the need for bridges from the edges to the centre
medium.com
May 9, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Some thoughts sparked by a great event in Leeds yesterday on neighbourhood health and the UK government's Test, Learn and Grow intiative. How do we make neighbourhoods engines of change?
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
I wish we talked more about social infrastructure in childrens services. Plus this from Geoff Mulgan & co re the effect of declining birthrates on social support networks. If we want strong social support for children, we'll need social infrastructure to enable it tial.org/news/designi...
May 10, 2025 at 12:02 PM
I wish we talked more about social infrastructure in childrens services. Plus this from Geoff Mulgan & co re the effect of declining birthrates on social support networks. If we want strong social support for children, we'll need social infrastructure to enable it tial.org/news/designi...
Reposted by Becca Dove
I thought my first post on Bluesky should be something positive and motivational
May 4, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I thought my first post on Bluesky should be something positive and motivational
Reposted by Becca Dove
This work is so inspiring ❤️
Turning national reform into an opportunity for local participatory design - a short story🧵
Today in Camden was the final session of our Design Group (frontline childrens services staff) and our Families Sounding Board (parents, carers and family members) working together on Family Help reform.
Today in Camden was the final session of our Design Group (frontline childrens services staff) and our Families Sounding Board (parents, carers and family members) working together on Family Help reform.
April 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
This work is so inspiring ❤️
Turning national reform into an opportunity for local participatory design - a short story🧵
Today in Camden was the final session of our Design Group (frontline childrens services staff) and our Families Sounding Board (parents, carers and family members) working together on Family Help reform.
Today in Camden was the final session of our Design Group (frontline childrens services staff) and our Families Sounding Board (parents, carers and family members) working together on Family Help reform.
April 25, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Turning national reform into an opportunity for local participatory design - a short story🧵
Today in Camden was the final session of our Design Group (frontline childrens services staff) and our Families Sounding Board (parents, carers and family members) working together on Family Help reform.
Today in Camden was the final session of our Design Group (frontline childrens services staff) and our Families Sounding Board (parents, carers and family members) working together on Family Help reform.
Reposted by Becca Dove
Join us for the launch of our upcoming report 'Closing the void' for a discussion on rebuilding trust in democracy from the ground up.
With
💠 Charlotte Hollins @right-here.org
💠 Deborah Mattinson, political consultant
💠 @mds49.bsky.social @uclpolicylab.bsky.social
Book your spot: bit.ly/44BsV5g
With
💠 Charlotte Hollins @right-here.org
💠 Deborah Mattinson, political consultant
💠 @mds49.bsky.social @uclpolicylab.bsky.social
Book your spot: bit.ly/44BsV5g
April 17, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Join us for the launch of our upcoming report 'Closing the void' for a discussion on rebuilding trust in democracy from the ground up.
With
💠 Charlotte Hollins @right-here.org
💠 Deborah Mattinson, political consultant
💠 @mds49.bsky.social @uclpolicylab.bsky.social
Book your spot: bit.ly/44BsV5g
With
💠 Charlotte Hollins @right-here.org
💠 Deborah Mattinson, political consultant
💠 @mds49.bsky.social @uclpolicylab.bsky.social
Book your spot: bit.ly/44BsV5g
This from James is well worth a read if the current political climate is wearing you down (*puts hand up). There's some magic stuff happening to reimagine institutions so they have cooperative practices at their core. "Ways we can make our lives better together". Yes please.
The energy at the edges - a new post with some thoughts on the vitality at the edges of the system.
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
The energy at the edges
The system is dying from the middle, but there’s vitality at the periphery
medium.com
April 17, 2025 at 11:34 AM
This from James is well worth a read if the current political climate is wearing you down (*puts hand up). There's some magic stuff happening to reimagine institutions so they have cooperative practices at their core. "Ways we can make our lives better together". Yes please.
Reposted by Becca Dove
⬆️ Are you ready to take your skills in public engagement to the next level?
👀 Take a look at our upcoming training! 👇
👥 Public Engagement Training
📆 Thurs July 3
📆 Thurs Nov 6
🗣️ Facilitating Public Engagement Training
📆 Thurs April 10
📆 Thurs Nov 13
www.involve.org.uk/news-opinion...
👀 Take a look at our upcoming training! 👇
👥 Public Engagement Training
📆 Thurs July 3
📆 Thurs Nov 6
🗣️ Facilitating Public Engagement Training
📆 Thurs April 10
📆 Thurs Nov 13
www.involve.org.uk/news-opinion...
April 16, 2025 at 8:02 AM
⬆️ Are you ready to take your skills in public engagement to the next level?
👀 Take a look at our upcoming training! 👇
👥 Public Engagement Training
📆 Thurs July 3
📆 Thurs Nov 6
🗣️ Facilitating Public Engagement Training
📆 Thurs April 10
📆 Thurs Nov 13
www.involve.org.uk/news-opinion...
👀 Take a look at our upcoming training! 👇
👥 Public Engagement Training
📆 Thurs July 3
📆 Thurs Nov 6
🗣️ Facilitating Public Engagement Training
📆 Thurs April 10
📆 Thurs Nov 13
www.involve.org.uk/news-opinion...
Biased I may be given this is the topic of my doctorate, but this free webinar on the role of community and social support in child welfare really does look terrific. Registration link in Cormacs post 👇🏻
Join us on May 14 at 4.00 p.m. (London) for a free webinar event focused on Child Welfare through a Community-Centred Lens with Dr. Bruce Perry, Cormac Russell and moderated by Melissa T. Merrick, President and CEO of Stop Child Abuse America. Click here to register: lnkd.in/gTFq7sQR
April 5, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Biased I may be given this is the topic of my doctorate, but this free webinar on the role of community and social support in child welfare really does look terrific. Registration link in Cormacs post 👇🏻
My mum sent me this for COVID day of reflection. First lockdown, my folks were shielding so the kids would bike to their house during their allotted exercise outdoors and write messages on their front path. My mum and stepdad are waving from the window. Surreal then and now.
March 9, 2025 at 3:09 PM
My mum sent me this for COVID day of reflection. First lockdown, my folks were shielding so the kids would bike to their house during their allotted exercise outdoors and write messages on their front path. My mum and stepdad are waving from the window. Surreal then and now.