Key Points
- The Royal Borough of Greenwich and its Co-operative Commission partners have teamed up with the University of Greenwich and care professionals to pioneer new solutions to delivering adult social care.
- The Care Reimagined ‘Hackathon’ took place on 29 and 30 November, where University of Greenwich students adopted a co-operative approach to devise practical solutions aimed at improving the quality of adult social care.
- In Royal Greenwich, over 3,500 residents rely on adult social care services, with a growing need for personalised support.
- Most current services are operated by private companies, where a profit focus can result in poor outcomes, underscoring the necessity for more sustainable business models.
- A co-operative (or co-op) is defined as a business or organisation owned and run by the people who use it or work there, enabling shared ownership, equal decision-making, and reinvestment of profits for collective benefit.
- Councillor Averil Lekau, Cabinet Member for Co-operative Innovation and Co-op Partnerships, highlighted the alignment with the “Together for Greenwich” vision launched nearly a year prior.
- Councillor Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and Borough of Sanctuary, addressed pressures from an ageing population and profit-driven providers leading to low wages, poor conditions, and staff shortages.
- Councillor Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business, Greenwich Supports and Environmental Services, emphasised co-operatives’ role in fostering an inclusive economy and community resilience.
- Lynette Lisk, Programmes Manager at the University of Greenwich, praised the partnership’s value in tackling community issues and providing students with real-world experience.
- The hackathon featured masterclasses by Co-operative Commission members Emma Back, Founder of Equal Care, and Ed Mayo, Chair of the Rural Urban Synthesis Society, alongside Lynette Lisk.
- Students, guided by industry mentors, pitched ideas including a software system for collaboration on education, business support, and marketing, plus an educational campaign to boost co-operative awareness and recruitment.
- The event showcased potential for co-operative adult social care delivery, with plans for the Royal Borough of Greenwich and University of Greenwich to reconvene into 2026.
Royal Greenwich (South London News) 29 November 2025 – The Royal Borough of Greenwich, in collaboration with its Co-operative Commission partners, the University of Greenwich, and care professionals, has launched an innovative initiative to transform adult social care delivery through co-operative models. This effort culminated in the Care Reimagined Hackathon on 29 and 30 November, where students from the University of Greenwich developed practical, community-centred solutions to longstanding challenges in the sector. Over 3,500 residents in the borough depend on these services, amid rising demand for personalised support and concerns over profit-driven private providers yielding suboptimal outcomes.
What Sparked This Collaboration?
The partnership stems from the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive care systems, as evidenced by the hackathon’s focus on co-operative principles. As reported in the official announcement from the Royal Borough of Greenwich website, the event brought together students, experts, and local leaders to address systemic issues in adult social care. Councillor Averil Lekau, Cabinet Member for Co-operative Innovation and Co-op Partnerships, stated:
“Nearly a year ago, we launched Together for Greenwich, our vision for creating a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable future for our borough; one which embraces co-operative principles and puts decision-making in the hands of communities. Social care is a key focus for our Co-operative Commission. It is through collaboration, such as this one with the University of Greenwich, that we can innovate approaches to building a robust care system that empowers everyone.”
This vision, detailed in the Together for Greenwich report, emphasises community-led decision-making, positioning social care as a cornerstone of broader co-operative ambitions. The hackathon served as a practical manifestation of these ideals, demonstrating how academic expertise and local governance can intersect to foster innovation.
Why Is Adult Social Care Under Pressure in Greenwich?
In Royal Greenwich, the demand for adult social care is intensifying, with over 3,500 residents relying on these services and a clear trajectory towards greater need for tailored support. The dominance of private companies, prioritising profit over outcomes, has been flagged as a core problem, prompting calls for alternative models. Councillor Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and Borough of Sanctuary, remarked:
“Adult social care is facing serious pressures. An ageing population means rising demand and the care system is dominated by profit-driven providers, which can lead to low wages, poor conditions and staff shortages. We thank the University of Greenwich and their students for taking up the challenge to explore how co-operative principles can create ethical and community-centred care solutions which put people first.”
Councillor Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business, Greenwich Supports and Environmental Services, added a economic dimension:
“Co-operatives are key to growing a more inclusive economy. They offer a way in which we can tackle critical issues such as social care provision whilst building community resilience and ensuring that prosperity is shared. By pivoting away from profit-driven models to increase publicly owned and third sector capacity, we can ensure that economic development benefits our residents and communities.”
These statements underscore a multifaceted crisis involving demographics, workforce challenges, and business practices.
What Exactly Is a Co-operative Model?
A co-operative, or co-op, represents a democratic alternative: a business or organisation owned and controlled by its users or workers, where ownership is shared, decisions are made collectively, and surpluses are reinvested for mutual benefit rather than individual profit. This model contrasts sharply with traditional private enterprises, promising equal voice and sustainability. The hackathon explicitly leveraged these principles to reimagine care delivery, highlighting their relevance to public services under strain.
As Lynette Lisk, Programmes Manager at the University of Greenwich, observed: “This hackathon showcased how vital partnerships between universities and local councils are for tackling pressing community issues. Our students were inspired by the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s commitment to improving adult care for Greenwich residents, and thankful for the opportunity to use their skills to make a difference whilst gaining valuable real world work experience and expert mentorship.” [ from conversation context]. Such partnerships exemplify how co-ops can bridge academia, policy, and practice.
How Did the Hackathon Unfold?
The Care Reimagined Hackathon commenced with masterclasses delivered by prominent Co-operative Commission members. Emma Back, Founder of Equal Care – a co-op dedicated to empowering individuals and families – and Ed Mayo, Chair of the Rural Urban Synthesis Society, a volunteer-led community land trust in south London, provided foundational insights alongside Lynette Lisk. These sessions equipped students with co-operative expertise tailored to social care.
Under the guidance of industry mentors, participants refined their concepts before pitching to a panel comprising Councillor Mariam Lolavar, Emma Back, and Lynette Lisk. Notable proposals included a software system enabling users and care providers to collaborate on education, business support, and marketing initiatives. Another idea was an educational communication campaign to enhance borough-wide understanding of co-operatives, facilitating recruitment and expansion. These outputs illustrated the hackathon’s tangible potential.
Who Were the Key Players Involved?
The event’s success hinged on a diverse coalition. The Royal Borough of Greenwich led as the convenor, supported by its Co-operative Commission partners. The University of Greenwich contributed student innovators and Lynette Lisk’s programmatic oversight. Care professionals and mentors, including Emma Back of Equal Care and Ed Mayo of the Rural Urban Synthesis Society, offered specialised knowledge. Elected officials like Councillors Averil Lekau, Mariam Lolavar, and Jackie Smith provided political endorsement and strategic direction.
This assembly not only generated ideas but also built networks essential for implementation, reflecting a holistic approach to reform.
What Solutions Emerged from Student Pitches?
Student teams proposed actionable innovations grounded in co-operative ethos. The software platform stood out, designed to unite stakeholders for shared resources in training, enterprise development, and promotion – addressing isolation in care provision. Complementing this, the awareness campaign targeted knowledge gaps, aiming to demystify co-ops and attract new participants, thereby bolstering recruitment. These pitches, rigorously vetted by experts, signalled viable paths forward.
The demonstrations revealed untapped potential in co-operative social care, moving beyond theory to prototype.
What Happens Next for This Partnership?
The hackathon concluded with optimism, affirming the scope for co-operative mechanisms in adult social care. The Royal Borough of Greenwich and the University of Greenwich have committed to reconvening, with plans extending into 2026 to advance these initiatives. This follow-up phase will likely refine prototypes, secure funding, and integrate solutions borough-wide.
Such continuity ensures momentum, potentially setting a precedent for other locales grappling with similar pressures.
Why Does This Matter for Greenwich Residents?
For over 3,500 dependent residents, this collaboration promises ethical, resilient care attuned to personal needs. By challenging profit-centric norms, it seeks equitable outcomes, higher staff retention, and community empowerment. Broader implications include economic inclusion and sustainability, aligning with Together for Greenwich’s ethos. As pressures mount from an ageing populace, these steps offer hope for a people-first system.
