Slides used by Meera Chadha, Programme Manager of Cities of Service at Nesta, at the Big Local ‘What’s the deal? Working with public services' learning event, organised as part of the Local Trust programme of networking and learning events for Big Local residents. The event took place on Tuesday 2 December 2014.

1. Cities of Service UK
Big Local Event
2nd Dec 2014
1

2. Agenda
• Introduction to Nesta
• What is Cities of Service?
• Vision for the programme in UK
• Participating Cities
• Support for Cities
• Challenges
• Activity so far
• Long-term aims
2

3. Introduction to Nesta
Nesta is an innovation charity with a mission to help
people and organisations bring great ideas to life
Rethinking Parks
3
Innovation LabPolicy & Research
Innovation
Skills

4. Cities of Service
Vibrant and growing
network of local
governments effectively
using the power of citizens
as a reliable, viable tool to
achieve measurable impact
on pressing local challenges.
#CitiesofServiceUK

5. Core concepts of Cities of Service
• Focus on measuring results: measure the impact
volunteers have rather than number of volunteers.
• Create strong leaders to champion the
programme and create support within
the city.
• Create a “culture of service” within and external of
council
• Mobilise energy, talents and passions
of people to make a real difference
to local priorities.
#CitiesofServiceUK

6. Results in the US
More than 5.7m sq ft of
rooftop coated in reflective
paint in NYC to reduce
carbon footprint by 2.1m lbs
Over 1.8m lbs of trash
from streets of Flint,
Michigan
Elementary school
students improved
their reading
fluency by 88% with
support of
volunteer tutors in
Orlando
14,500 residents in
Sacramento, California
trained in disaster
preparedness to improve
responsiveness in
emergencies
#CitiesofServiceUK

7. UK Programme Partners
#CitiesofServiceUK

8. Vision for the programme in UK
• 2014-15 Pilot Programme with
7 cities across England
• Prove impact and build
credibility
• Develop pipeline of cities to
grow movement in UK
• Support International Cities of
Service movement
8

9. Participating Cities
9
Partners
Chief Service Officer (CSO)
2 Local Challenges, up to 4
initiatives
Associates
Use existing teams
1 Local Challenge, up to 2
initiatives

10. Support for Cities
• Financial support
• Training
• Written guidance
• Peer learning
• Experts/Technical support
• US Mentor (Partner cities only)
10

11. Creating
positive
learning
experiences
Addressing
food poverty
and
encouraging
healthy
eating
Building
resilient
communities
Create safe,
clean and well
maintained
neighbourhoods
Reducing
social
isolation
Support
older people
to be
healthy,
active and
included
Supporting
people to
care for
family in
their homes
for longer
Kirklees, Swindon, Bristol
Addressing
fuel poverty
Energy
Saving
Challenges
11
Bristol,
Portsmouth,
Kirklees
Portsmouth, PlymouthBarnsley, Telford, Portsmouth
Barnsley, Telford,
Plymouth

12. Service Plans launched in 7 cities
12

13. Local volunteering sites launched
13

14. Connecting Cities of Service and Big Local
1. Evidence based approach to decision making
2. Helping effective volunteering to scale
3. Senior engagement within council to join things up and
have more clout
4. Connect public services, private sector, voluntary and
community sectors
5. Elevates status of communities taking an active role by
creating a culture of service
14

15. Questions
15

16. Thank You!
Meera.Chadha@nesta.org.uk
16