What role should democratic services officers have in enabling citizen participation?💬 Jack Roberts is leading one of our current Working in a Modern Democracy projects, exploring how we can better connect citizen participation and decision making. Read Jack's blog post 👉 https://ow.ly/7T9n50Yz56s

Our first Rising Star Award winner, Joshua Mann, has shared some reflections about growing a career in Democratic Services. 🌱 If you know someone who is growing from strength to strength, please nominate them for this year's ADSO Awards. Read Joshua’s blog 👉 https://ow.ly/5rVB50YwKFR

🌟 Do you work with someone who is growing from strength to strength? Our Rising Star award recognises the achievements and impact of someone who is new to the sector, or new to their role. 📅 Nominate by Fri 22 May 2026 Find out more & make your nomination👉 https://ow.ly/iFN150YwKbp

Councillors - what support do you need from officers? Take part in our survey by 26 March. ⏰ ✅ If you’re a Councillor in England, Wales or N Ireland, please take part in our Councillor Survey. ✅ If you work with councillors, please share this. Take part now 👉 https://ow.ly/W9vW50YvJFA

How can we improve citizen engagement? We want to hear views from Councillors. 💬 ✅ If you’re a Councillor in England, Wales or N Ireland, please take part in our Councillor Survey or Focus Groups. ✅ If you work with cllrs, please share this. How to get involved 👉 https://ow.ly/wibr50YvJu1

📗 Have you taken part in an ADSO training course recently? We’d love to hear your feedback. In this short blog post, our Director of Training Susan Biddle shares why listening to (and acting on) your feedback is really important to us. Find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/PgiN50YvJY9

How can we improve citizen engagement? We want to hear views from Councillors. 💬 ✅ If you’re a Councillor in England, Wales or N Ireland, please take part in our Councillor Survey or Focus Groups. ✅ If you work with cllrs, please share this. How to get involved 👉 https://ow.ly/wibr50YvJu1

We’re delighted to bring you this blog by ADSO member Nicholas Hughes from Thanet Council. From "pinch-me" moments to Golden Tickets, it's the story of how his team developed successful T-Level work placements to give local students real world skills in local democracy. 👉 https://ow.ly/wOje50Yv9WM

📗 Introduction to Health Service Governance If you're working with health scrutiny committees in local government, working in the NHS at bands 5 to 8, or keen to explore a career in the NHS, this course is for you. 📅 15 & 22 April ⏰ 3hrs / workshop 💻 via Zoom Book now 👉 https://ow.ly/NRJm50Yvapw

Here’s a quick summary of some of our recent ADSO Board highlights and activities from the ADSO team. We’ve included some highlights from our most recent ADSO Activity Report, which our Chief Executive presented at our ADSO Board meeting on 13 March. Read our highlights 👉 https://ow.ly/6m7150YuIbZ

Nominations are open for the ADSO Awards 2026 🌟 Help us to recognise & celebrate the incredible people who are working in local democracy. You are very welcome to nominate your own team or project, or a colleague. 🎉 📅 Nominate by Fri 22 May 🌟 Find out more & nominate: https://ow.ly/ne5E50Yv9gG

Looking for a new role in local democracy? Jobs available now: ✅ Salford ✅ Cotswold ✅ Derbyshire ✅ Rochdale & more See all our current vacancies: https://ow.ly/B16U50YuEf9

How is our local democracy changing? We want to hear views from Councillors. 💬 ✅ If you’re a Councillor in England, Wales or N Ireland, please take part in our Councillor Survey or Focus Groups. ✅ If you work with cllrs, please share this. How to get involved 👉 ow.ly/cqs450YsBgc

📗 Bookings are open for our next training courses, for people working in local democracy roles. Our workshops include presentations, case studies & smaller group working, where you can learn with other participants. 📅 May to September 💻Online via Zoom Book your place 👉 https://ow.ly/IRcV50YrMBN

We’re beginning an exciting review of our ADSO Qualifications – and we’re looking for ADSO members who would like to be involved. Our Qualifications Manager, Chloe Ashworth, shares more about this important project - and why we need your help - on our blog. Get involved 👉 https://ow.ly/MPPL50Ylhpy

Looking for a new role in local democracy? Jobs available now: ✅ Cotswold ✅ Derbyshire ✅ Rochdale & more See all our current vacancies: https://ow.ly/9heA50Yr9lV

🎙️What can we learn from the casework of our councillors? In Democracy Conversations episode 4, we explore local decision making and citizen participation with Ed Hammond from the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS). ▶️🎙📖 Watch, listen or read www.adso.co.uk/democracy-co...

💬 Governance professionals can and should be champions for participatory decision-making. That's one of the messages from our guest blog post sharing work at RB Kensington & Chelsea to improve how the council listens to local people, in the wake of the Grenfell Tragedy. 👉 https://ow.ly/WfWF50YoBog

Please help us to hear from Councillors about how our local democracy is changing. 💬 ✅ If you’re a Councillor in England, Wales or N Ireland, please take part in our Councillor Survey or Focus Groups. ✅ If you work with cllrs, please share this. How to get involved 👉 https://ow.ly/SfPt50Yo908

Looking for a new role in local democracy? Jobs available now: ✅ Camden ✅ Derbyshire ✅ Nottingham ✅ Rochdale ✅ Bath & NE Somerset See all our current vacancies: https://ow.ly/nMpS50YnUYf

We’re beginning an exciting review of our ADSO Qualifications. 🌱 Chloe Ashworth, our Qualifications Manager, shares why we’re reviewing our qualifications now, what we hope to achieve for our members & why it’s important to us that you can get involved. Find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/SXpv50YcbIh

🎙️What are our opportunities for strengthening local democracy over the next five years? In Democracy Conversations episode 4, we explore local authority governance with Ed Hammond from the Centre of Governance and Scrutiny. ▶️🎙📖 Watch, listen or read www.adso.co.uk/democracy-co...

💬 We've launched some important new activities to explore how ADSO and our members can best support Councillors in the future. If you’re a Councillor in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, please get involved to share your insights and expectations. Get involved 👉 https://ow.ly/zUkK50YlRXF

🎯 Want to find out more about joining our new Become Your Own Career Coach programme? Please come along to our drop-in information session for ADSO members. 📅 Thurs 26 Feb 🕤 10am-10.45am 💻 Online via Teams ✉️ email: [email protected] to take part, or see this week's ADSO newsletter.

🛡️ We provide a free Standards Advice Line, open to all our ADSO members & there whenever you need it. Advice includes: Code of Conduct issues, Councillor complaints and wider standards issues. Access our advice line 👉 https://ow.ly/ZWlY50XV5CR 🔒 ADSO member login required

💬 In this guest blog, Olivia Schelts-Harris shares her thoughts on how councils can meaningfully refresh their approach to participation. She also highlights some key lessons for Democratic Services teams who are considering greater collaboration with their communities. 👉 https://ow.ly/WY0o50YhTMr

📘 We're working with our wonderful partners to bring you more learning opportunities. You can get a 10% discount for the LGiU's Practical Project Management course on 12 March 2026. Open this week’s ADSO Democracy Matters email to get your discount code. Course info 👉 https://ow.ly/8nWf50Yh0sR

🎯 Want to take charge of your career? You can apply now to join the first cohort of ‘Become Your Own Career Coach’. Through workshops, peer learning and online resources we’ll help you to focus on what matters most for you, your role and your future. 
Find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/qO1O50Y7Hjl

Looking for a new role in local democracy? Jobs available now: ✅ Warwickshire ✅ Southend-on-Sea ✅ Runnymede ✅ Castle Point & more… See all our current vacancies: https://ow.ly/Xp8X50YgyQw

📗 ADSO Training courses: Ethics & Standards, Working in a Political Environment, Becoming a DSO & more. Our workshops include presentations, case studies and smaller group working, where you can learn with other participants from across the country. Book your place 👉 https://ow.ly/vTaQ50Yevpx

🟣 Join in our #IWD2026 discussion for ADSO members. 📅 Thurs 5 Mar 
🕤 12.30-2pm
 💻 via Teams Hear from ADSO's first female Vice Chair, Katherine Harclerode and Laura Williams, Service Director at Sandwell Council. And talk with your peers about the #GiveToGain theme. 👉 https://ow.ly/wisU50YclLp

We’re beginning an exciting review of our ADSO Qualifications. 🌱 Chloe Ashworth, our Qualifications Manager, shares why we’re reviewing our qualifications now, what we hope to achieve for our members & why it’s important to us that you can get involved. Find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/SXpv50YcbIh

🎙️What does your Constitution say about your organisation’s relationship with citizens? In Episode 3 of Democracy Conversations, we explore citizen participation & local democracy with Tim Hughes from the Open Government Partnership. ▶️ 🎙📖 Watch, listen or read www.adso.co.uk/democracy-co...

📗 ADSO Training course: Becoming a DSO This introductory workshop is designed to give you some essential learning for your new role. You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and meet other new starters. 📅 12 March 2026 ⏰ 9.30am to 12.30pm 💻 via Zoom Book your place 👉 https://ow.ly/BvkH50Y8Vv3

🎯 Want to take charge of your career? You can apply now to join the first cohort of ‘Become Your Own Career Coach’. Through workshops, peer learning and online resources we’ll help you to focus on what matters most for you, your role and your future. 
Find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/qO1O50Y7Hjl

📗 ADSO Training course: Working in a Political Environment. If you want to work more effectively with councillors in your democratic services role, this training course can help. 📅 10 & 17 March 2026 ⏰ 3 hours per session 💻 Online via Zoom Book your place 👉 https://ow.ly/PlVq50Y5580

Looking for a new role in local democracy? Jobs available now: ✅ Braintree ✅ North Northamptonshire ✅ Lewisham ✅ Lincoln & more… See all our current vacancies: https://ow.ly/HMnl50Y6hGy

📗 ADSO Training course: Ethics and Standards Ideal for DSOs who want to develop their understanding of the legal framework within which councils operate & for anyone who would like a refresher. 📅 25 Feb & 4 Mar 2026 ⏰ 3 hours each day 💻 Online via Zoom Book your place 👉 https://ow.ly/KmMq50Y4Wc2

🎙️What does it take for citizen participation to really take root within the work of an organisation? We’re thrilled to bring you Episode 3 of Democracy Conversations, with the wonderful Tim Hughes, Democracy & Participation Lead at the Open Government Partnership. ▶️ www.adso.co.uk/democracy-co...

▶️ Webinar: State of the Association 2026. Join Peter Sass, Chair of ADSO and Katherine Harclerode, our Vice Chair, for an overview of what ADSO is achieving for our members. You can also tell us how we can best support you in 2026. 📅 Weds 11 Feb 2026 🕤 11am to 12 noon 👉 https://ow.ly/xsmh50Y4Tt9

Take part in our Wellbeing survey to help us learn more about your experiences and how we can help. 💜 We're keen to understand more about whether our ADSO members experience abuse or harassment at work, how this affects your wellbeing, and how we can help. Take part 👉 https://ow.ly/pCwx50Y0zuz

Our first Rising Star Award winner, Joshua Mann, has shared some reflections about growing a career in Democratic Services. 🌱 Joshua told us about the importance of transferable skills, what he loves about being a DSO, his positive approach & more... Read Joshua’s blog 👉 https://ow.ly/8pSu50Y0yZn

🎙️How do new forms of citizen engagement and participation connect with the work of our councillors? In Episode 2 of Democracy Conversations we talked with the team at Test Valley Council about their evolving approach to citizen engagement. ▶️ Watch, listen or read: www.adso.co.uk/democracy-co...

💬 Join our ADSO focus groups to talk about how councillor expectations are changing & what this means for our work. If you support councillors in your role, please join us to share your experiences & help influence the future of democratic services Find out more & register https://ow.ly/bRsZ50XTnkK

Looking for advice about working with new administrations? Worried about the impact of having a significant turnover of councillors at an election? Wondering how best to support newly elected councillors who have no previous experience of local government? Learn more 👉 https://ow.ly/jJqV50XWEfF

ADSO members can enter our prize draw this January for a chance to win a free place on an ADSO training course of your choice.📚 The prize has been kindly donated by James McLaughlin. Open this week’s ADSO Democracy Matters newsletter for more details and your chance to win. Good luck 🍀

Here’s a quick summary of some of our recent ADSO Board highlights and activities from the ADSO team. We’ve included some highlights from our most recent ADSO Activity Report, which our Chief Executive presented at our ADSO Board meeting on 9 January. Read our highlights 👉 https://ow.ly/45AG50XWBTS

🛡️ We provide a free Standards Advice Line, open to all our ADSO members & there whenever you need it. Advice includes: Code of Conduct issues, Councillor complaints and wider standards issues. Access our advice line 👉 https://ow.ly/ZWlY50XV5CR 🔒 ADSO member login required

💬 Join our ADSO focus groups to talk about how councillor expectations are changing & what this means for our work. If you support councillors in your role, please join us to share your experiences & help influence the future of democratic services Find out more & register https://ow.ly/bRsZ50XTnkK

✅ Join our ADSO Board: Nominations are open for our Company Secretary role. This is an opportunity for you to make a significant contribution to a key role in our organisation, as part of the ADSO Board. Find out more about the role 👉 
https://ow.ly/6TeG50XSPAO ⏰ Closing date: 23 Jan at 4pm