---
title: What UKGovCamp26 reminded us about building better public services
description: "Methods attended #UKGC26 in Birmingham this weekend, and it was a genuinely valuable couple of days. Through the sessions and just as importantly, the conversations in between, a few strong themes surfaced repeatedly:"
---

[All Insights ](https://blog.methods.co.uk/en/all-insights)

# [What UKGovCamp26 reminded us about building better public services](https://blog.methods.co.uk/en/all-insights/what-ukgovcamp26-reminded-us-about-building-better-public-service)

 Written by [Annie Birchall](https://blog.methods.co.uk/en/all-insights/author/annie-birchall) | Jan 20, 2026 10:28:35 AM

Methods attended **#UKGC26** in Birmingham last weekend, and it was a genuinely valuable couple of days.

Through the sessions and just as importantly, the conversations in between, a few strong themes surfaced:

**Staying user-centred in complex environments**  
There was a lot of practical discussion about holding the line on good discovery: working with stakeholders who have already “solutionised”, resisting the pressure to define answers too early, and creating the space needed to focus on real user needs and meaningful outcomes.

**The reality of product leadership in government**  
Refreshingly honest conversations explored the good, the bad and the difficult parts of being a Product Manager in the public sector right from supporting services well beyond go-live, to the challenge of moving from project-based delivery to true product thinking and continuous improvement.

**Designing responsibly for what’s next**  
From “defence against the dark arts” to agentic AI and non-human users of services, there was real energy around how we design, assure and govern public services in a fast-changing landscape and how responsibility and ethics need to keep pace with innovation.

**Bringing policy, product and user-centred design (UCD) closer together**  
A shared view emerged that the best public services are created when policy and delivery evolve side by side, much earlier in the process, rather than being handed over in sequence.

> *“There was such a buzz throughout the day, and it reinforced just how passionate and motivated we all are about delivering meaningful user-centred services across  government!” - *Lauren Tombs, Methods
> 
> Events like GovCamp are a reminder of how committed the public sector digital community is about delivering services that genuinely work for people. The care taken by the organisers, including thoughtful touches like an on-site crèche, helped make the event more accessible and inclusive.
> 
> Huge thanks to the organisers, everyone who hosted sessions, and to our all our team members for representing Methods so well.

#UKGovCamp26 #GovCamp #ukgc26 #PublicSectorDigital #DigitalTransformation #ProductManagement #ServiceDesign #UCD #Consultancy #AgenticAI

[View full post](https://blog.methods.co.uk/en/all-insights/what-ukgovcamp26-reminded-us-about-building-better-public-service)

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