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How we work

UK ANZ

Adopt and adapt proven innovations

We help local systems to adopt and adapt innovations that have been successful elsewhere, by helping them understand where fidelity is essential, and where things need to flex to fit a new context.

Adopt
and adapt

Innovation programmes

We design and deliver innovation programmes that develop new ideas, test and evaluate promising innovations, and spread and scale the most successful.

We play the role of learning partner: helping organisations and systems learn from practice, research evidence and lived experience. We run formative evaluations and deliver learning programmes that connect and share learning between innovators and adopters.

Learning partnerships
and programmes

Designing new solutions

We have a unique approach to building lasting change. We’re a multidisciplinary organisation that brings together experts in design, leadership, coaching, research, and systems thinking alongside experience and knowledge of the sectors we work in.

Designing new solutions

Co-designing
solutions

We partner with people, organisations and communities to design new solutions that create social impact at scale. Our design processes are collaborative and participatory, involving everyone who needs to be part of the service or solution.

Co-designing
solutions

Building capability

We help people, organisations and communities to think and work differently and build the capabilities as innovators and leaders of change. Our immersive learning programs are designed to help professionals grow their confidence as designers, innovators and leaders of systems change.

Building
capability

Learning + innovation partnerships

We partner with organisations and groups of organisations to support learning around complex, systemic challenges, and develop and scale new practices that make a positive difference. We help diverse groups of people to work together to generate new insights, and design and facilitate innovation programs that make meaningful change at scale.

Learning + innovation partnerships

Place-based change

We are adept at bringing diverse partners together around shared challenges and opportunities; developing coalitions for change in often place-based contexts. We work with partners and groups who want to collaborate across communities and institutions, helping people to find ways of working, learning and taking action together.

Place-based
change

How we can help you

Our impact

UK ANZ All

Mental Health Innovation

From Vision to Reality

Mental Health Transformation in Greater Manchester

Health and Care Inequalities

Anchored in the Future

Supporting anchor institutions to take a preventative approach to community health

with The Health Foundation

Innovation Unit's impact

Solving today’s problems, growing future solutions

with Innovation Unit

Place based transformation

Communities at the core

Greater Manchester’s GoodLives journey

with GoodLives GM

Resilient communities

Thriving in Murihiku

Creating a bright future with the rangatahi of Southland

with Te Rourou, Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation

Strong families

Designing an FDV Hub

Re-establishing safety, rebuilding connections in Armadale

with Western Australian Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence

Resilient communities

Diverse NZers’ stories

Opportunities for a more inclusive physical activity system

with Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa

Resilient communities

Tāmaki Tauawhi Kaumātua

Collective action for an age-friendly Auckland

with Auckland Council

See more projects See more UK projects See more ANZ projects

Thoughts

Our latest news, blogs, and publications

An image of a group of older people doing exercise on chairs in a room.

Neighbourhood Health Guidelines: What will it take to shift the system?

Following NHS England’s publication of neighbourhood health guidelines, we’re sharing our learning about what it really takes to grow person-centred, equitable and sustainable neighbourhood health models.

Blog
21 Feb 25

Joint Chief Execs of Innovation Unit, Matthew Horne and Sarah Gillinson, sat at a table in a wood panelled room smiling at the camera.

Financial Times & Statista Leading Consultants 2025

We are celebrating! Innovation Unit are proud to have been named one of the UK’s leading consultants of 2025 in the public and social care sector by the Financial Times & Statista, for the third consecutive year.

News
05 Feb 25