The Work in Progress with Millom
What if accessing system leadership development does not mean leaving a place, but is rooted in communities growing the relationships, power and shared action needed to shape their own future?
The context
The challenges facing communities are interconnected, but leadership development often remains siloed, inaccessible and disconnected from place. ‘Millom Connect’ emerged from the systems leadership development growing around Good Enough Start in Millom.
The opportunity
To co-design a locally rooted, cross-sector, power-neutral space where people could connect and build shared understanding, language direction and system leadership around community priorities as well as create the conditions for long-term change.
The work
Alongside local partners, Millom Connect was co-designed as a place-based movement for connection, system leadership development and collective action. The work included:
- growing a representative cross-sector co-design group
- creating power neutral spaces for collaboration and shared learning
- connecting citizen, public sector, VCSE and business perspectives
- developing system leadership capability across sectors rooted the realities, relationships and strengths already present within the community
- identifying levers for system change. For example, professional identity was identified and Dr Fiona Chatten invited to co-facilitate the first session in May 2025.
- centring care, equity, participation, local knowledge and relationship-building, community wealth building and local opportunity framing.
The Progress (So Far)
The work contributed to:
- the ‘Millom Connect’ brand
- a scalable model for place-based development
- the first Millom Connect gathering becoming oversubscribed with 100% of attendees recommending joining the movement
- attendance from residents, VCSE sector, health, education and local public services
- increased or deepening local connections and relationships
- increased understanding of the area’s context, i.e. strengths and pressures.
- increased co-referral and active signposting of providers to community groups, services and partners that may offer additional or complementary support
- organisations connecting around service awareness and co-referral strategies
- new Mental Health group sessions being delivered to residents
One lesson for leadership
Leadership lives in communities. The work is creating the conditions for connection, power and collective action to grow.
“The Council recognises the significant contribution Millom Connect makes to the wellbeing, resilience, and future development of our community.”
Millom Town Council, 26th March 2026