How to deliver public services more effectively and sustainably: E3M Imagine 2026 report |Categories: Publications |Tags: public services, social enterprise The UK’s public services face unprecedented pressure due to rocketing demand, financial constraints and workforce shortages. These issues restrict the ability of services to meet people’s needs. Social enterprises, including co-operatives, charities, community organisations, voluntary and faith-based groups, already deliver a wide range of services effectively. But such arrangements are still exceptions to the norm. To deliver public services more effectively and sustainably requires more partnerships with the social sector. E3M Imagine 2026 took place in May 2026 at the People’s History Museum in Manchester. It brought together more than 100 participants, combining the experience of commissioners responsible for public services, social enterprise leaders, funders and social investors. They worked in mixed groups to explore how to scale up successful social enterprise and co-operative models and address important challenges in public service delivery. With particular emphasis on the role of social enterprise innovation, social investment and partnership approaches to delivering people-focused services, Imagine also explored opportunities resulting from the Better Futures Fund, social sector covenant, and establishment of the Office for the Impact Economy. Our new report presents key insights from each challenge area covered at E3M Imagine, including recommendations and ideas. Read the Report E3M Imagine is a catalyst to improve how public services are delivered and outcomes for people and communities Click here to read more about the challenges addressed at Imagine 2026+ Children and young people: transitioning to supported accommodation; informal kinship care; Tier 3.5 therapeutic homes Unlocking social investment to scale prevention Rural transport Outcomes partnerships Neighbourhood health Community Wealth Building Key insights from E3M Imagine across all challenge areas The report covers the discussions and ideas relating to some of the most pressing challenges in public service delivery (see above) and explores common themes emerging from all of them, including specific and practical ideas: Prevention requires upfront investment and new evidence Co-design: services must be shaped by people who use them Relationships, purpose-alignment, culture and trust are structural foundations; contracts should be enablers not barriers Social investment can catalyse effective delivery of people-focused services Commissioners need more support Social enterprises and VCFSE organisations need the conditions to succeed E3M Imagine also included Opening discussions about needs and opportunities, featuring Esmé Clifford, Deputy Director and Jennifer Van der Merwe, Senior Place Advisor, Office for the Impact Economy, Cabinet Office (watch this here); Dominic Llewellyn, Director, Achieve Good and The Impact Economy Collective (watch here); Jennifer Rouse, VCFSE Accord Strategic Lead, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (watch here). A vignette session by Lisa Wilson, Integrated Director of Commissioning, Adults, Royal Borough of Greenwich on how the Healthier Greenwich Partnership is implementing, innovating and integrating neighbourhood health and care to enable thriving communities where people feel heard, supported, and empowered to live as independently as possible. Watch this short video clip with Lisa. An update from Sandra Hamilton of Stone King LLP on distinguishing market purchasing from system stewardship, and the need for a distinct legislative regime for people-focused services. A closing panel discussion of key points emerging from the challenge groups, featuring: Grace Lynch, Director of Commissioning – People, Swindon Borough Council; Gemma Bukel, Managing Director, P3 Charity; Warren Hepolette, Director: Prevention Demonstrator, Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Watch it here. Read the Report E3M Imagine was supported by Stone King LLP, Better Society Capital, Lloyds Bank Foundation, The Change Coefficient and Power to Change. This report was written and edited by Jamie Veitch, with thanks to Tej Dhami, Jonathan Bland, Claire Williamson and challenge owners and supporters for their input. Report design: Research Retold.
How to deliver public services more effectively and sustainably: E3M Imagine 2026 report |Categories: Publications |Tags: public services, social enterprise The UK’s public services face unprecedented pressure due to rocketing demand, financial constraints and workforce shortages. These issues restrict the ability of services to meet people’s needs. Social enterprises, including co-operatives, charities, community organisations, voluntary and faith-based groups, already deliver a wide range of services effectively. But such arrangements are still exceptions to the norm. To deliver public services more effectively and sustainably requires more partnerships with the social sector. E3M Imagine 2026 took place in May 2026 at the People’s History Museum in Manchester. It brought together more than 100 participants, combining the experience of commissioners responsible for public services, social enterprise leaders, funders and social investors. They worked in mixed groups to explore how to scale up successful social enterprise and co-operative models and address important challenges in public service delivery. With particular emphasis on the role of social enterprise innovation, social investment and partnership approaches to delivering people-focused services, Imagine also explored opportunities resulting from the Better Futures Fund, social sector covenant, and establishment of the Office for the Impact Economy. Our new report presents key insights from each challenge area covered at E3M Imagine, including recommendations and ideas. Read the Report E3M Imagine is a catalyst to improve how public services are delivered and outcomes for people and communities Click here to read more about the challenges addressed at Imagine 2026+ Children and young people: transitioning to supported accommodation; informal kinship care; Tier 3.5 therapeutic homes Unlocking social investment to scale prevention Rural transport Outcomes partnerships Neighbourhood health Community Wealth Building Key insights from E3M Imagine across all challenge areas The report covers the discussions and ideas relating to some of the most pressing challenges in public service delivery (see above) and explores common themes emerging from all of them, including specific and practical ideas: Prevention requires upfront investment and new evidence Co-design: services must be shaped by people who use them Relationships, purpose-alignment, culture and trust are structural foundations; contracts should be enablers not barriers Social investment can catalyse effective delivery of people-focused services Commissioners need more support Social enterprises and VCFSE organisations need the conditions to succeed E3M Imagine also included Opening discussions about needs and opportunities, featuring Esmé Clifford, Deputy Director and Jennifer Van der Merwe, Senior Place Advisor, Office for the Impact Economy, Cabinet Office (watch this here); Dominic Llewellyn, Director, Achieve Good and The Impact Economy Collective (watch here); Jennifer Rouse, VCFSE Accord Strategic Lead, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (watch here). A vignette session by Lisa Wilson, Integrated Director of Commissioning, Adults, Royal Borough of Greenwich on how the Healthier Greenwich Partnership is implementing, innovating and integrating neighbourhood health and care to enable thriving communities where people feel heard, supported, and empowered to live as independently as possible. Watch this short video clip with Lisa. An update from Sandra Hamilton of Stone King LLP on distinguishing market purchasing from system stewardship, and the need for a distinct legislative regime for people-focused services. A closing panel discussion of key points emerging from the challenge groups, featuring: Grace Lynch, Director of Commissioning – People, Swindon Borough Council; Gemma Bukel, Managing Director, P3 Charity; Warren Hepolette, Director: Prevention Demonstrator, Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Watch it here. Read the Report E3M Imagine was supported by Stone King LLP, Better Society Capital, Lloyds Bank Foundation, The Change Coefficient and Power to Change. This report was written and edited by Jamie Veitch, with thanks to Tej Dhami, Jonathan Bland, Claire Williamson and challenge owners and supporters for their input. Report design: Research Retold.