• guided by sound ethical principles
• independent in is structure, funding and practice
• pioneering in its approach
• comprehensive in its scope
• wide in its reach - relevant and of value to the public, to campaigners, to politicians
• embracing of diversity and difference
• cutting edge in its use of involvement and communication technology in its own practices.

Our aim is to promote social change and cohesion by changing the way in which public services interact with the public - and vice versa. 

Fontis emerged from a shared commitment developed over many months and already has active support from a wide variety of different individuals and organisations who want to see change happen.  We welcome membership from individuals, from organisations from any sector and from professionals whose work is making involvement happen.

supporting and challenging thinking on involvement, by

• New Thinking
• Research
• Campaigning
• Advice
• Creating Opportunity
• Generating Action

To see more about what we do nationally click here

We work as senior advisors and project leaders (in the public, private and third sectors) to provide extra help and skill in areas where staff and public involvement can make the most difference:

• Sustainability - co-designing and co-producing new, cost-effective models of service delivery

• Organisational Performance - improving productivity, reducing waste

• Reputation - increasing public trust and ownership of change; managing reputation through better governance, greater openness, transparency and accountability

• Delivery of complex change - (shifting the balance between state provision and people’s ability to do more for themselves)

Fontis can

• advise on the best ways to increase the practical value of staff and public involvement (and help make them happen)

(Examples: development of the full potential of membership and community schemes; stress-testing of public-facing issues in “laboratory” conditions ; integrated public involvement strategy; governance reviews; scenario planning;)

• support complex projects such as major service reconfigurations, dilemmas and choices, or investment and disinvestment decisions

(Examples: framing options to project management of public involvement processes and innovative events using the latest tools and techniques)

• increase understanding, skills and capacity around involvement

(design and delivery of workshops; training and skills development events)

• mediate and resolve problems between individuals, organisations and communities

• measure impact and improvement

(involvement analysis report – identifying strengths and areas for improvement – to support audit and governance)

To find out more click here

Fontis is an organisation with a membership itself, supporting and campaigning for individuals interested in involvement. It is a platform for discussion and personal development.

Details of our proposed membership arrangements will be published shortly here.

The development of Fontis is now led by Graham English who founded Fontis with Mark Butler - two highly experienced leaders who see the need, scope and scale of opportunity for change at this time.

Fontis is a social enterprise as well as a company limited by guarantee, registered at Companies House as Fontis (UK) Ltd. More details on our Board, our objectives and the way we intend to work will appear here as appropriate.