A Global Service Jam is an international event where people from diverse backgrounds come together to practice and explore service design through a hands-on approach. Participants, known as Jammers, collaborate intensively over the course of a weekend to research, ideate and prototype innovative service solutions. The event is designed to foster creativity, teamwork and rapid experimentation, encouraging a #DoingNotTalking mindset to solve real world challenges.

Our Product Design team at Lewisham Council, recently had the privilege of hosting a Global Service Jam in the Borough. This event was centred on experiential learning, pushing participants to explore and innovate through action rather than passive discussion.

Immersive Hands On Experience

The Jam was a hub of energy, creativity and innovation. Participants dove headfirst into a fast paced cycle of research and prototyping, embodying the philosophy of learning by doing. Whether they were newcomers to design or experienced professionals, each participant expanded their knowledge, exchanged insights with peers and honed their design skills through practical application.

This year’s theme was deliberately ambiguous, posing an initial challenge. However, rather than seeing this as a setback, we embraced the uncertainty and channelled it into creative problem solving. Each team was given a simple but intriguing task: to construct a boat and a fan using only two sheets of paper with no additional materials. The challenge culminated in a series of boat races, where teams tested and refined their designs after each round. This engaging exercise served as the perfect launchpad for ideation, encouraging rapid iteration and hands-on experimentation.

Innovative Outcomes

By the end of the weekend, our teams had navigated the service design process, applying research and prototyping to develop a service aimed at empowering young girls with career resources. Much like our paper boats, these young girls often face challenges caused by limited resources, struggling to stay afloat in an environment that does not always support their ambitions. Some boats barely move, weighed down by their design limitations, just as barriers such as lack of mentorship, exposure, and opportunities can hinder young girls from pursuing diverse and fulfilling careers. However, just as our boats gained unexpected momentum with the help of the fans—external stimuli we had not initially considered—these young girls also need external support systems, whether through guidance, role models, or unexpected opportunities. By iterating on our ideas and refining solutions, we aimed to create those external forces that can propel them forward, ensuring that they do not remain stranded but instead sail towards a future filled with possibilities.

Our ideation sessions sparked a range of creative solutions, including:

• A mentorship programme connecting young girls with professionals in various industries.
• An interactive digital experience, akin to The Sims, allowing users to virtually experience different careers
• A matchmaking platform that pairs young girls with mentors based on shared interests and skills.

Importantly, we sought to broaden career horizons beyond traditional roles, highlighting opportunities in fields such as content creation and sports. The diversity of our participants ranging from service design veterans to complete newcomers added depth to our discussions and ultimately strengthened the impact of our proposed solutions.

Key Takeaways

One of the most valuable lessons from this experience was the effectiveness of rapid prototyping and iteration. The #DoingNotTalking approach enabled us to swiftly test, refine and enhance ideas, leading to more innovative and practical solutions. Additionally, the event underscored the power of community and collaboration. Bringing together individuals from different backgrounds fostered a dynamic exchange of knowledge, skills and perspectives. The Global Service Jam reinforced our commitment to an iterative, user focused approach, ensuring that the products and services we develop continue to be inclusive, effective and impactful for the residents in Lewisham Council.

For other local authorities considering similar initiatives, my advice would be to cultivate an environment that encourages experimentation, learning and hands-on engagement. Providing structured opportunities for collaboration and real world application can yield more meaningful and impactful outcomes.