December 13-14^th 2022, Keble College, University of Oxford

In December 2022, we invited Governing Governors across the country to a two-day symposium at Keble College, Oxford.

The principle focus of the event was on what Governing Governors can do locally:
a) to reduce some of the pressures of governing; and
b) to boost the morale and job satisfaction of their staff.

In spite of a rail strike and Arctic conditions, 41 Governing Governors took part. Their findings, in the form of two “Governing Governors’ guides for Governing Governors”, were circulated afterwards by HMPPS, and can be found below. While we drafted both papers, the guidance and recommendations they contain are the Governors’ themselves.

Governing Governors’ Guidance for Governing Governors – on boosting staff morale and retention
Governing Governors’ Guidance for Governing Governors – on managing the pressures of governing

The feedback from the symposium was excellent (a selection of which is below), and we hope to hold a second one before too long:

• “I absolutely loved it! It was great to see what others were thinking and doing and not feeling alone anymore. The facilities were brilliant and the hospitality amazing”.
• “It helped me ‘re-set’ my thinking after a really difficult few years and I’ve come back to the prison re-energised and with lots of great ideas”.
• “I wanted to thank you and your team for arranging such an empowering and motivating event… [and for] the opportunity to share ideas and concerns, and talk about how we shape our work”.
• “Thank you for a fantastic two days at Keble college. I really enjoyed every bit of it, especially the discussions, and I learnt a lot”.
• “It was a truly wonderful event”.