Wow! Where did the time go? Leeds GovJam was fast approaching — it was just one week away. The update encouraged people to get involved in a fun, friendly, and fast-paced couple of days where participants learned by doing and sharing.
Supported by volunteers, attendees worked in teams on projects they designed using a range of design methods. It was framed as a hands-on opportunity to try service design techniques in a collaborative setting.
The event was part of the Global GovJam — described as "48 hours to rock the public sector" — and brought together public sector innovators, designers, and curious members of the public.
With just one week to go before Leeds GovJam, the energy among the local community was building steadily. This was a rare chance for people from all walks of life to come together and tackle real public sector challenges using creative design methods. Participants did not need any prior experience, only a willingness to learn, share, and collaborate. The jam was designed to be a welcoming space where teams could form around shared ideas and rapidly develop them into something meaningful. It was about breaking down traditional assumptions and trying fresh approaches to improve local services for everyone.
The Global GovJam movement has always been about proving that big change can start small, in just 48 hours. Leeds GovJam embodied this spirit by bringing together volunteers, mentors, and curious citizens who wanted to make a difference. The focus was on hands-on learning, asking the right questions, and refining ideas through feedback and iteration. Every participant had something valuable to contribute, whether it was a skill, a perspective, or simply enthusiasm. The event promised a supportive atmosphere where people could step outside their usual roles and discover new ways to think about public service.
£30 for two days
Tickets included food and drink for both days and were booked via Eventbrite.
What to Expect
- Work in small teams on real design challenges
- Use a range of design methods in a supportive environment
- Learn by doing alongside volunteers and fellow participants
- Two full days of hands-on collaboration
The 2019 Leeds GovJam took place on 22–23 October 2019 at ODI Leeds, Munro House — a short walk from Leeds bus and rail stations.
More Updates
In the run-up to the 2019 event, the Leeds GovJam team shared several posts to build excitement and share practical details. Another update, "Wow! Nearly time to jam!", followed on 18 October 2019, just days before the event kicked off.
Earlier posts from 2014 covered the global reach of the GovJam movement, with participating locations across Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, South Korea, and Sweden.