Ashley Dalton MP speaks at ‘Healthcare – Shaping our Future’ event at the National Theatre.

Ashley Dalton MP speaks at our ‘Healthcare – Shaping our Future’ event at the National Theatre

Earlier this month, we were proud to host a special evening at the National Theatre in partnership with HLM Architects. Together with colleagues, collaborators and community leaders, we explored how people-first, entrepreneurial approaches to placemaking can create healthier, fairer and better-connected communities. With inspiring reflections from Ashley Dalton MP, Jack Wagstaff and Lord Andrew Mawson, it was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we lead with people, purpose and partnership.

The event explored how entrepreneurial, people-first approaches to placemaking can create healthier, fairer and better-connected communities. At its heart was a simple belief that sits at the core of our work at 360 Degree Society: that health and wellbeing aren’t built in hospitals or government offices alone — they’re created in the places where people live, work, learn and come together.

We were privileged to hear from Ashley Dalton MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention. Ashley’s honest and optimistic reflections on policy, prevention and community investment were a real highlight, offering encouragement that national systems can — and must — evolve to better support the work happening in our places.

We also heard from Jack Wagstaff, Place Leader for Surrey Downs, who shared his own experiences of leading change on the ground.

Our Chair, Lord Andrew Mawson opened the evening with a powerful keynote, reflecting on how a learning by doing approach in East London has transformed outcomes for communities over the past 30 years. That work — which has turned derelict buildings into thriving health centres, schools and creative hubs — now shapes the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust’s innovation platform. It offers a practical, hopeful model for what the future of local health systems could look like when rooted in place and built around relationships.

Throughout the evening, what stood out most was the spirit of collaboration. From partners like Kier Construction, Ibstock Plc and Barratt Redrow to NHS innovators and community leaders, everyone in the room shared a belief that by working together differently — with kindness, creativity and a focus on people — we can tackle the big challenges facing our communities.

Events like this aren’t about polished presentations or abstract theories. They’re about honest conversations, real experiences, and finding practical ways forward. They remind us that meaningful change is always possible when you start with people, relationships and a commitment to doing things differently.

We’re deeply committed to being a part of this growing national movement and hugely grateful to everyone who joined us on the night. The conversations sparked there will continue to shape our work as we build healthier, fairer places for everyone.