Hosting My First Global Service Jam: Lessons in Creativity & Collaboration

In 2011, I found myself at a pivotal career crossroads. Having built a background in design, I was drawn to something bigger—something that went beyond creating things and into facilitating creativity itself. That’s when I discovered the Global Service Jam—an annual event dedicated to co-creation, rapid experimentation, and hands-on service design.

When the opportunity came to host a Jam in Newcastle, I said yes—without fully knowing what I was stepping into. Looking back, that decision became a springboard moment, setting me on the path to creative facilitation, collaboration, and designing experiences that bring people together.

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What is the Global Service Jam?

The Global Service Jam is a worldwide event where teams gather for 48 hours to design and prototype innovative services based on a secret theme. It’s open to everyone—not just designers, but also entrepreneurs, strategists, community leaders, and anyone curious about problem-solving in creative ways.

The goal? Create something tangible, test ideas fast, and embrace uncertainty. At its core, it’s about creativity over perfection, collaboration over competition, and action over overthinking.

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An Experiment in Creative Collaboration

When I decided to bring the Global Service Jam to Newcastle, I wanted to create a space where people could push their creative limits, embrace ambiguity, and work together in new ways. With a diverse mix of participants—including designers, entrepreneurs, community organisers, and students—the energy in the room was electric from the start.

But here’s the thing about facilitation: it’s not about just leading—it’s about holding space for the unknown. And that weekend, I learned exactly what that meant.

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A Rollercoaster of Creativity

The weekend followed the classic Service Jam format—fast-paced, interactive, and full of unexpected twists.

🌟 The Big Reveal – A secret theme was announced, sparking instant brainstorming and rapid-fire idea generation.

🌟 Divergent Thinking & Exploration – Using design thinking techniques like empathy mapping, journey mapping, and rapid sketching, teams explored their ideas from multiple angles.

🌟 Prototyping & Iteration – Instead of getting stuck in theory, teams built rough prototypes, testing and refining their concepts in real-time.

🌟 User Testing in the Real World – No idea survives first contact! Teams gathered real-world feedback, making quick pivots based on their findings.

🌟 Final Presentations – By the end of 48 hours, teams showcased their solutions, not just sharing what they created, but how they evolved through the process.

What fascinated me most? Watching people shift from uncertainty to clarity, from hesitation to full creative flow. Some teams clicked into gear instantly. For others, it wasn’t until the second day that their breakthrough moment arrived. That’s the beauty of the process—it meets you where you are.

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Why Hosting This Event Changed Everything for Me

At the time, I didn’t know it, but this weekend was more than just running an event—it was a launchpad into a new way of working. Here’s why:

1. It Was a Crash Course in Facilitation & Management 🚀

I learned that facilitation isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about guiding people to find their own. Holding space for uncertainty, navigating group dynamics, and encouraging a ‘fail fast, learn fast’ mindset made this one of the most dynamic learning experiences I’d ever had.

2. It Showed Me the Power of Diverse Collaboration 🌍

The best ideas don’t come from one person—they emerge from the intersections of different perspectives. Having a mix of backgrounds and industries created unexpected, impactful solutions.

3. It Reinforced That Action Beats Overthinking 🎬

In design, it’s easy to get stuck perfecting an idea before bringing it to life. This event flipped that script—it was about creating something tangible first, learning from it, and then refining it. That mindset has stayed with me ever since.

4. It Taught Me to Trust the Process 💡

Some people jumped into the challenge immediately. Others needed time to warm up. Some teams pivoted three times before landing on an idea that worked. Giving people the space to evolve at their own pace was a huge lesson for me in facilitation.

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A Photo Montage (low quality images, byt you get the vibe)

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An Eye-Opening Moment: The Power of Inclusion

One of the most impactful moments of the event wasn’t about ideas or prototypes—it was about people.

One participant had ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) and could only participate for four hours each day, not the 12 hours/day the event entailed! At first, I wondered if that would affect their ability to contribute—but what I saw changed my perspective entirely.

Despite the limited time, their input was insightful, impactful, and essential to their team’s process. It was a powerful reminder that inclusion isn’t about endurance—it’s about accessibility. True collaboration happens when everyone, regardless of energy levels or capacity, has a meaningful role.

This experience will shape how I design workshops, ensuring that spaces are built for all kinds of participation, not just the loudest voices or longest hours.

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Here Is A Team’s Project Prototype – RIPPLE

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Looking back, Global Service Jam Newcastle 2012 wasn’t just a fun event—it was a turning point.

Many participants went on to explore service design further, some even developing their Jam ideas into real-world projects. The experience proved that innovation can happen in just 48 hours—when you create the right conditions.

For me, this event cemented my transition from designer to facilitator. It showed me that helping others unlock their creativity was just as rewarding—if not more—than designing myself.

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Final Thoughts: Why You Should Say Yes to the Jam

Hosting Global Service Jam remains one of my most cherished facilitation experiences.

If you’re a facilitator, designer, educator, or just someone curious about co-creation and problem-solving, I highly recommend getting involved. Whether you attend, host, or facilitate, you’ll leave feeling energized, inspired, and full of new ideas.

💡 Want to join a Service Jam? Check out Global Service Jam for upcoming events!

And if you attended Newcastle Jam 2012, I’d love to hear how your journey has evolved—let’s keep the creative spirit alive!