Government Communication Service

Launching today, this year’s One Big Thing focuses on innovation! One Big Thing is an annual initiative for civil servants to take action together around a cross-government change priority. If you are a Government Communication Service (GCS) member, you’ll be able to take part in various innovation themed activities over the coming months! You can access them all, plus a range of resources, on the GCS website - https://lnkd.in/erZSGX3b Even if you are not a GCS member, or if your organisation is not taking part in One Big Thing, you can still get involved. We have a range of exciting content coming soon! Make sure you tune into our social channels where we will be showcasing insightful blogs and vlogs on innovation. #GovernmentCommunicationService #GCS #UKGovComms #OneBigThing #Innovation 

Director General of OSR Ed Humpherson is delighted to speak alongside Government Communication Service Chief Exec Simon Baugh today at the Government Statistical Service Conference about enhancing trust in the communication of statistics.

It's been a week since the brilliant GCS Advance Expert Learning Festival, and we're delighted to now announce that the GCS Advance Practitioner programme is open for registration! The next programme will begin in October and is open to GCS members. Created exclusively for GCS members by GCS, the programme is designed for those early in their government communication careers and will give you a strong grounding in the range of professional communications skills. "Things I've learnt will be useful wherever I go," said one of the programme graduates who described the programme as "interesting, inspiring, and educational." Learn more about GCS Advance on the GCS website - https://lnkd.in/e9Kzztkc If you're a GCS member and interested in registering, please log into your GCS Connect account - https://lnkd.in/etqjhG6j #GovernmentCommunicationService #GCS #UKGovComms #Communications #GCSAdvance

In a crisis, being prepared to act swiftly and share accurate information with the public is critical. The Crisis Communications Planning Guide is designed to help government communicators create crisis comms plans for the major risks that their organisation, department or agency may face. “Time is the most precious resource we have in a crisis. That’s why this guidance is so important. Doing the work in advance of a crisis to develop a strategy gives communicators more time to act decisively and provide vital information to the public when it matters most.” Simon Baugh, Chief Executive, Government Communication Service (GCS) Our new ‘STOP’ guide provides a robust framework for crisis comms planning: S - Strategy: Clear objectives rooted in audience insights. T - Tactics: Set out key actions for the first hour, day, and week of a crisis. O - Organisation: Build key relationships, clear sign-off processes, and assign roles. P - People: Support your team with the right training. Whether you're a seasoned comms professional or new to the field, 'STOP' offers a structured approach to crisis preparedness that will boost your confidence and effectiveness when it matters most.   ✅ You can access the guide via the GCS website -  https://lnkd.in/ecB9QbxE #GovernmentCommunicationService #GCS #UKGovComms #Communications #CrisisCommunications  #CommunicationsStrategy

We’re wrapping up National Inclusion Week 2024 today with a curated collection of accessible resources for you. Thank you for following along this week! Take a proactive approach towards inclusion throughout everything that you do to help ensure each and every one of us feel valued and included. Browse this virtual bookshelf of free resources from the Government Communication Service. Accessible communications -  https://lnkd.in/eW293T7N Accessible comms learning and resources -  https://lnkd.in/ekn48zt2 Making digi comms accessible -  https://lnkd.in/eyBcpDtt Inclusive campaigns -  https://lnkd.in/eDsHZbgx The Gambling Commission: building EDI into how we work https://lnkd.in/ei_r8kgA An education for all: the GCHQ design team hosts EDI sessions - https://lnkd.in/ex3s2vUq Celebrating neurodiversity at GCS New Members’ Event - https://lnkd.in/eitvenZG #GovernmentCommunicationService #GCS #UKGovComms #AccessibleCommunications #NationalInclusionWeek #ImpactMatters

We’re near the end of National Inclusion Week 2024, so here is a roundup of all the resources we’ve shared so far! Monday - International Day of Sign Languages The GCS Innovation Lab and GCS Strategy and Campaigns recently conducted a ‘test and learn’ pilot alongside the Met Office using an innovative digital British Sign Language (BSL) translation tool. Read the full blog (GCS members)- https://lnkd.in/eWxuA9Z5 Access BSL resources, only for GCS members - https://lnkd.in/eEEG7kfi Utilise the brilliant Accessible by Default resources on BSL - https://lnkd.in/eTSwUh6K Tuesday - Inclusive recruitment guidance and applicant tips Earlier this year we published: - Top tips for vacancy holders (for GCS members) on running fair campaigns - https://lnkd.in/eFDed67g - Guidance for candidates - https://lnkd.in/eYpHmPNJ Wednesday - Accessible by Default Access the Accessible by Default resources that aim to raise awareness on the importance of accessible communications and the daily challenges people with disabilities encounter online. Access the resources - https://lnkd.in/eTSwUh6K That’s all for Thursday, but join us tomorrow to wrap up National Inclusion Week 2024! What resources have you found most useful and what will you be applying in your comms and ways of working? #GovernmentCommunicationService #GCS #UKGovComms #AccessibleCommunications #NationalInclusionWeek #ImpactMatters

That's a wrap on the GCS Learning Festival 2024! 🎉 What an incredible two days of learning, networking, and inspiration! As we close this chapter, we want to express our gratitude to everyone who made this event a success. To our brilliant speakers: Your insights on mission-led communications, AI in comms, digital transformation, building trust, influencer marketing, and career development have given us all food for thought and actionable strategies.  To our attendees: Your enthusiasm, questions, and active participation brought these sessions to life. The energy you brought to every discussion and networking opportunity was truly inspiring. To our organising team and volunteers: Your hard work behind the scenes ensured everything ran smoothly. We couldn't have done it without you! The festival may be over, but our journey of growth and innovation is just beginning. Here's what you can do today: 1. Reflect on your key takeaways and share them with your teams. 2. Set concrete goals based on what you've learned. 3. Stay connected with the new contacts you've made - they're your support network for implementing new ideas. 4. Be bold in applying your new knowledge to drive positive change in your communications work. Let's carry this momentum forward and continue to elevate the standard of government communications across the UK. Together, we can make a real difference in how we serve and engage with the public. Share your festival highlights or your plans for implementing what you've learned in the comments below! #GovernmentCommunicationService #GCS #UKGovComms #GCSLearningFestival #GCSAdvance #CommunicationSkills

To close off the day, we were treated to an enlightening panel discussion chaired by Chief Operating Officer at the Government Communication Service Gemmaine Walsh and featuring Deputy Directors who shared their diverse journeys in government communications. Their stories were not just about career progression, but also about navigating life's challenges and maintaining work-life balance. Some common themes emerged: -Embracing opportunities for growth, even when they feel challenging   -The value of building a strong professional network  -Importance of advocating for yourself and your team  -Strategies for managing stress and avoiding burnout  -How to leverage diverse experiences in leadership roles A huge thank you to our panellists for their openness and insights: - Andy J., Deputy Director of Communications and Marketing, DBT - Rachel Forster MCIPR MSc, Interim Director of Communications, Infected Blood Compensation Authority - Sherma Julien, Deputy Director Internal Communications, DfE - Ben Stack, Deputy Director of Communications, MOJ It was refreshing to hear such honest accounts of both the triumphs and the struggles. Our panellists proved that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to career success in the GCS. #GCSAdvanceExpert #GCSLearningFestival #GovernmentCommunicationService #LearningandDevelopment #GCS #GovernmentComms #UKGovComms #Communications #GCSAdvance #CommunicationSkills

Insightful Keynote: Building Trust in Government Communications We've just wrapped up an inspiring keynote by Lynda Scott, Interim Director of Communications at DHSC, on the critical topic of trust in government communications. Key takeaways from this thought-provoking session: - The importance of clearly communicating the truth and what it means, particularly where sharing facts. - Understanding citizen’s preferences and concerns - listening properly and analysing insight. - Uphold a clear distinction between public and political communications. - Think about the long term - start with the values of your organisation, then consider the channels available and a strategy for reaching your widest network. - Prioritise building genuine relationships and understanding between organisations. - Use co-creation wherever possible by involving the people you are trying to reach for behaviour change. Lynda emphasised the importance of transparency and enabling government/stakeholder conversations. In an era of misinformation, our role in delivering accurate, timely, and relevant information is more crucial than ever. How do you foster trust in your communications work? Share your thoughts below! #GCSAdvanceExpert #GCSLearningFestival #GovernmentCommunicationService #LearningandDevelopment #GCS #GovernmentComms #UKGovComms #Communications #GCSAdvance #CommunicationSkills

Welcome back to Day 2 of our Learning Festival! We’ve got an exciting lineup of sessions designed to empower government communicators with fresh insights and innovative strategies. Here’s some of what’s on the agenda today: - Building trust through communications - Learning from content creators - Inspiring career journeys in the GCS - Data-driven communication strategies - Reaching diverse communities effectively Grab your coffee, stay energised, and don’t miss out on today’s dynamic sessions! Follow along to catch all the highlights and share how you are reaching your audiences in the comments below! #GovernmentCommunicationService #GCS #UKGovComms #GCSLearningFestival #GCSAdvance #CommunicationSkills