Unlocking what we can only do together

#DoWith sits at the heart of how I work. It's a value I try to live every day, in my consultancy, in my research, on my podcast and in my everyday conversations.

Early in my nursing career I kept seeing the same pattern: systems doing to and for people rather than with them, and staff who knew what was needed but had no space to act on it. I've spent much of my career since trying to work differently, and I'm still learning.

The #DoWith movement gave that way of working a name. Between October 2025 and January 2026 I brought together the thinking of many people through collaborative sessions, shared documents and an open community padlet.

This charter is the result. The ideas belong to everyone who contributed. It isn't a final word, and it isn't meant to be the only #DoWith charter. It's a contribution to the movement, offered so that others can reflect on what doing with means for them, and hopefully embrace it too.

What's inside

The charter sets out why #DoWith exists, four commitments (transform, enable, share, build) and eight values, from centring those most impacted to none of us is as smart as all of us. It is also honest about the barriers many of us face.

Read the full charter via https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21388878

Who shaped itVersion 2 includes contributions in their own words from Helen James (Nutriri), Mbalu Bah (We're Right Here), Voluntary Sector North West, Will Nicholson (A Better Way) and Maddy Desforges (NAVCA), along with everyone who took part in the original sessions.

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Listen In to episode 52 of So Who Cares Anyway? as I reflect on where #DoWith began for me and why I believe it's something we are, not something we do.

The charter is a living document and will keep evolving. If you took part and would like to be named, or if #DoWith resonates with your work, please get in touch.