Notwestminster 2025

Do you hope for a stronger local democracy? Do you believe that together we can make it happen? Do you see that it’s already happening?

is about finding the people, ideas and energy we need, so that we can grow our trust in each other and share our aspirations for what our everyday democracy can be. We find practical ways of working together to improve our lives and local places.

If you’re up for the challenge of renewing our democracy, please join us for a day of workshops, quick-fire talks, conversations and inspiration in Huddersfield. Notwestminster is a free event, and everyone is welcome to take part. All we ask is that you are interested in making our local democracy better, and willing to do something to make it happen.

In uncertain times, there are reasons to be hopeful. Notwestminster is a community of amazing people who give their time and attention to improving our local democracy in places across the UK. We are a community connected by hope.

We’re excited to be getting the band back together in Huddersfield and welcoming new participants for our 10th anniversary event. That’s 10 whole years of reasons to be hopeful – and we’d love for you to be part of it.

Bring your questions, share your ideas and hear things that will spark your imagination. Connect with others in our Notwestminster community and be inspired to do things differently.

Local democracy happens where we are, in our neighbourhoods and the places that we know. It’s here that we want everyone to be able to have a voice, make decisions and to take action. Please get involved to share what’s already happening where you are. We know that you will also take some great ideas back home with you.

Notwestminster is a welcoming place, which only exists because of the generosity of our participants. You’ll find this a friendly day, where we make room for each other’s ideas and experiences, look out for each other and inspire each other to take action. Come and meet some amazing people who are at the heart of efforts to improve our democracy, for everyone.

What if we were all connected by democracy?

What if we were all connected by hope?

These lively discussion sessions, all led by our participants, are at the heart of our Notwestminster event. Pitch your workshop idea:

A few ideas: Your workshop can be about any aspect of local democracy. We particularly welcome ideas for helping citizens to collaborate and connect, things that will help people involved in local democracy to learn about each other, ways to connect people with helpful data and information, ways of creating and sharing hopeful visions for the future, different engagement tools or approaches, ways of creating connections with councillors, ideas for growing networks and communities (online and off), and practical ways of improving local places. All ideas welcome.

Our main ticket release is open now. Tickets are free, thanks to our generous sponsors.

If you'd like to support the event, please contact us for a Sponsor Pack: [email protected]

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

University of Huddersfield (tbc), Oastler Building, Huddersfield, United Kingdom